One of the more obscure Broadway musicals to get a big movie musical treatment, "Half a Sixpence" (which remember is better than Half a Penny) is a light-hearted version of H.G. Well's "Kipps". Like the classic British musical "Me and My Girl" (which would become more famous in America in the 1980's), "Half a Sixpence" tells the tale of a British commoner who all of a sudden finds out he is rich. Will money and position change him? Tommy Steele repeats his role from the British and Broadway hit and does an excellent job. Those who found him annoying in "Finian's Rainbow" will find him more so here, but I am not in that camp. Once a British rock star, he scored much success on the musical stage, and shows many talents as a singer, dancer, comic and actor. The problem with this movie is that it just tries to be so much. Too many strange montages, way over-the-top musical numbers and so much energy, that there is sometimes little opportunity to catch your breath. Julia Foster is sweet and a little feisty as Kipps' old girlfriend who saved the half a sixpence he gave her as his promise to marry her, yet finds him different after he gets ahold of a fortune and becomes engaged to Helen, a wealthy noblewoman (Penelope Horner). Helen isn't a snob (although her mother, played with aristocratic haughtiness by Pamela Brown is) and accepts Kipps for who he is. Appropriately so, the wealthy young lady has no musical numbers, the majority of those being saved for Steele.Individually, each of the musical numbers are fine, but there are way too many, and some of them go on too long. "If the Rain's Gonna Fall" is a sweet charming number that is like an ensemble "Singin' in the Rain", but "Money to Burn" ("I'd Buy Me a Banjo") is slightly out of place and doesn't move the plot along at all. An energetic boat racing sequence is fun to watch (with Steele singing over the action), and the wedding "Flash Bang Wallop!" ("One More Picture!") goes into a riotous dance that is fun but lengthy. The title song is sung sweetly by Steele and Foster, while the opening "All in the Cause of Economy" is perhaps the best song integrated into the film. Anne's solo, "I Know What I Am", is slightly depressing. Veteran actor Cyril Ritchard ("Peter Pan'" Captain Hook) is fun in a supporting role, while Broadway veteran Grover Dale is seen briefly as one of Steele's pals.Directed by the amazing George Sidney, the veteran director behind many classic MGM musicals (and "Bye Bye Birdie"), "Half a Sixpence" is a noble effort that somehow goes slightly overboard to the point where you want to say "Time Out!", and not for good behavior.

The movie musical had a brief resurgence in the late 1960s due to the success of "The Sound of Music." In that film, all the right elements were there: a major star, a good story and screenplay (in fact, the screenplay was a lot better than the book written for the Broadway production), a great score, and gorgeous photography. Of course it made a fortune, saved 20th Century-Fox from ruin, and the race was on. Musicals were back 'in.' The problem was, the production units that once existed that made these musicals had long since disbanded, and it seemed like production companies had to re-learn how to make them. Even seasoned hands didn't do all that well (although Gene Kelly's "Hello Dolly" is a better film than its reputation would indicate; Streisand was still miscast). Society and music had also changed, and the old-fashioned musical often came off as a museum piece - "Finian's Rainbow" should have been filmed years before; in 1969 it came off as a relic. (Footnote: when "Hair" was finally filmed, that also came off as a souvenir from the past; what a pity it was not made when the show closed on Broadway so that it could capture the real spirit of the times). Certainly there were exceptions - "Goodbye Mr. Chips" is far better than was realized at the time, and "Star" had the misfortune of coming off as a follow-up to "The Sound of Music," even though it's aspirations were far more modest.And so we have this perfectly professional film version of a musical that was a big hit in the sixties, with the star a Tony nominee, directed by a veteran of old Hollywood. The star is talented and charming, Julia Foster more than holds her own, Cyril Ritchard is wonderful to have. Unfortunately once you see the movie, the reasons this film is relatively little known become clear: everything is very well done, the art direction excellent, in other words the money shows. But the score is not very good, the dancing is okay, and the end result, to these eyes, is a film that I really have no interest in seeing again.I was fourteen when this film came out, and even though I liked Tommy Steele, I didn't 'need' to see this film the way I couldn't wait to see "Patton" and "2001." Now I know why. I was saddened when it was over because all that effort just added up to nothing for me.

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.

When "Half A Sixpence" moved from London to New York, the producers added a lot of dancing to a show that had almost none. Because of this, a couple of songs were cut (to make-up the time taken by the dancing). The film version restores most of the music (even adds a number) and keeps the dancing. On Broadway, the incredible Onna White was the choreographer. Unfortunately, she was not used for the film (busy doing "Oliver!"), and the job went to Gillian Lynne (Cats), who's less than incredible. The cast gives it all they've got (especially Tommy Steele and Grover Dale), but each number falls short of being great. Regardless, "Half A Sixpence" is lots of fun, and while the plot and characters are a bit thin, it has wonderful musical numbers, a more than competent cast, and it's a joy to see, after all these years, in it's original widescreen splendor. Get the DVD and enjoy!