Half a Sixpence (1968)

Such a frustrating disappointment

Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Although an admitted sucker for campy 1960's British Musicals - this movie was, simply put - shocking. It's easily one of the worst films ever made. The fact that it must have cost a fortune to make, is just one of many aspects of this disaster that amazes me.Not only is Tommy Steele's performance over-the-top and irritating, I was completely pushed over the edge when he couldn't even muster up a decent fake air-guitar (to be honest, it was a banjo). All the musical numbers are, if not forgettable, completely ridiculous! (never mind lacking any harmony or rhythm). Who in their right mind would find "Flash, Bang Wallop!" a rollicking good time? All that being said, I have to admit that I couldn't stop watching this train-wreck. I eventually found myself cheering on the characters and just waiting for something even more ridiculous to happen. And man, did this film deliver.This film is a gem, like old "Happy Days" or "Threes Company" episodes. It's entertaining although I highly doubt for the reasons the producers, writer, director or actors had intended.Best enjoyed inebriated.

"Half a Sixpence" was a product of the age of big budget musicals that began with the success of "The Sound of Music" and died when such clunkers as "Mame" and "Man of La Mancha" appeared. As such, the film both benefited and suffered. The benefits were a generous budget that is apparent on screen in the period costumes and sets, the lush photography of the English countryside, and the large cast. Just renting all the antique cars as background for one short scene must have cost a fortune. However, the film also suffered as it was lost in the glut of these big budget musicals, which were often mediocre, and its star, Tommy Steele, did not have the name or the charisma to carry it alone as the cast is largely unknown. The film also suffered from the obligatory over-length and intermission, which were required at the time in order to justify reserved seat engagements for these "event" films. The movie has been seldom seen, at least in the U.S., which is unfortunate because "Half a Sixpence" is a lively family film with a tuneful score, energetic choreography, and an engaging cast. Also, director George Sidney is a veteran of MGM musicals, and he knows how to stage a number. True, the story of how boorish, snotty, and unhappy the rich are, while the poor are fun loving, generous, and content with their lot, has been done to death (see "Titanic"). However, the film's assets lie where a musical's assets should be: in the songs, the dancing, and the performers. On those counts, the film is a winner.

I remember seeing this movie alot when I was little. They used to show on Tv here in NY in the late 60s and early 70s. I think the first time I first saw it was like in 67 or 68 I was like 5 or 6. The music is great most of the numbers are uplifting and Tommy Steel delivers them wondefully and so does the rest of the cast, especially the the ones with all the dancing like when they sing Money to Burn and Flash Bang Whallop. The one thing I didn't like about this movie was it had a great storyline that should of been developed stronger. The whole thing about the love between Artie and Ann and how it was almost destroyed because of new found wealth and the way it changed him and caused a rift between them and also between him and the boys he worked with could of been emphasized a little stronger. Other than that this movie is a gem, a wonderful, romping musical that you can watch with your whole family because theres's no excessive violence, sex or crude humor o

This is a very well acted and energetic musical. Tommy Steel and Julie Foster in the lead parts were brilliantly cast.The banjo scene in this was well choreographed, put together and acted out. To top the whole scene the banjo playing was superb.A brilliant family musical it gets a 10/10 from us. But then we are Tommy Steele fans.