Idol on Parade

British pop sensation "Jeep" Jackson's (Anthony Newley) career is in high gear when he's notified he'll have to do a two-year tour in the army. Of course the musician isn't well suited to the military life, and his antics wreak havoc on the patience of commanding officer Sergeant Lush (William Bendix). Will Jackson defeat the military with his singular personality or will a truce allow the army to soldier on? The film's title song and "I've Waited So Long" were hits for Newley, and the story may have largely been inspired by his real-life mid-career stint in the army. Lionel Jeffries and Anne Aubrey also star. Directed by John Gilling. Newly remastered.

The otherwise routine story and themes of this comedy are greatly balanced by talents of Anthony Newley as Jeep Jackson, a singing idol called up to serve in the British army and Lionel Jeffries as Bertie, a fussbudget adjutant. One of Jackson's superior officers is the brash Sgt. Lush (William Bendix) whose bark is much worse than his bite. Aside from the usual army types, Caroline (Anne Aubrey), the commander's daughter, adds a romantic nuance to the story when she falls for Jackson. And as in any story about a pop singer anywhere, Jackson manages to belt out a few songs.