Down Among the Z Men (1952)

[DVD] Down Among The Z Men by Movie Classics starring Peter Sellers Product Description

Down Among the Z Men

DOWN AMONG THE `Z' MEN (1952), also known in some quarters as `The Goon Movie,' stars four members of the popular radio and television series and precursor of Monty Pythons Flying Circus. Harry Secombe plays Harry Jones, Michael Bentine plays Professor Osrick Purehart, Spike Milligan plays Private Eccles, and Peter Sellers plays Major Bloodnok.

For all their trail-blazing ways the Goons' first movie is pretty tepid, standard stuff. Grocery clerk Harry Jones comes into possession of Professor Purehart's top-secret formula. The clerk and the professor wind up at the same military base, commanded by Major Bloodnok and including among its rank Private Eccles. The plot, such as it is, concerns a couple of bad spies chasing the formula that the Professor forgot and the clerk doesn't realize he has. What ensues is a series of loosely connected skits with characters that may have been funny in 7-minute doses but wear out their welcome long before the hour and fifteen minutes are up. If the Goons' hallmark was surreal zaniness, it's not in evidence here. Rather you have four Costellos desperately in search of an Abbott, preferably one with a plot in his back pocket.

Recommended only for those who want to see Sellers in an early movie role or, like me, have heard some classic Spike Milligan bits on tape or radio but have never seen him in action. With this cast in place it's a little embarrassing to admit that the highlights were a couple of routines performed by an all-girl dance troupe. At least the price is right.
September 15, 2005

It's all relative, isn't it Auntie?

There's lots of reasons to like this DVD. First, there's the price. Second, there's several lovely moments with Spike Milligan and Peter Sellers. Third, we get to see Spike play a few moments of jazz trumpet. Fourth, we get jazz strumpet -- or rather the next best thing, the lovely dancing Topper Girls. They were excellent. Fifth, did I mention the price? This is really a light variety show, BBC-TV 1950s style. There's a very lose plot that connects events -- but let's not worry about that. The Goons certainly didn't. Michael Bentine is not that funny. But he does try. He certainly tries me. Oh and sixth, it comes in a cardboard sleeve, so the DVD won't take up much space on your shelf. I found the whole thing charming, and I'm happy to have this historical artefact featuring some of two of my favourite comedians. July 11, 2005

It's all relative, isn't it Auntie?

There are lots of nice things about this DVD. First, is the price. Second, we get several quite funny moments with Spike Milligan and Peter Sellers. Third, there's the dancing of the Topper Girls. Fourth, we get proof that Milligan really was a top class jazz trumpeter. Yes folks, this is sort of a light variety show, BBC-TV 1950s style. There's a very slight thread that links the events. But no need to worry about that. It's kinda like having a moment of Milligan's "War Memoirs" come to life. Its a splendid historical artefact, and one that I'm glad to have. Oh, here's a fifth benefit -- it comes in a thin cardboard sleeve, so it won't take up much space on your shelf. July 11, 2005

More reviews at Amazon.com ...