ShadeGrenade Marty Feldman made his movie debut in Richard Lester's surreal, post apocalyptic comedy 'The Bed Sitting Room' ( 1969 ). With two seasons of the B.B.C.'s 'Its Marty' behind him, the time was right for him to flex his cinematic muscles. Based on a story by Milton Shulman and Herbert Kretzmer, 'Every Home Should Have One' was Marty's only British film, casting him as 'Teddy Brown', an advertising executive hired to provide a new campaign to promote 'McLaughlin's Frozen Porridge'. His first attempt features an animated, singing Scotsman and is soundly rejected. In desperation, he decides to 'think dirty' and use sex to sell the cereal. A competition to find the perfect 'Goldilocks' is held...The mid-to-late '60's saw a sea change in British film comedy, as it moved away from family entertainment and became more risqué. Television provided inspiration, with many films being either based on or inspired by popular shows. Produced by Ned Sherrin and Terry Glinwood, 'Every Home Should Have One' was made in 1970 but is still very much a '60's period piece. The script by Barry Took, Denis Norden and Feldman himself lampoons not only the glossy but shallow world of advertising, but also moralising politicians, clean-up television campaigners, and the permissive society itself. Richard Williams Studios provides some superb animations; particularly funny are Teddy's outlandish, 'Billy Liar'-style dream sequences, including a fight between him and the 'Reverend Geoffrey Mellish' ( Dinsdale Landen ) whom Teddy thinks is trying to destroy his marriage to 'Liz' ( Judy Cornwell ). At one point, we even see the men as 'Superman' and 'Batman'! One gag was recycled from the series - dressed as a bishop, Marty is asked by a doorman if he is a bishop. "Who do you think I am then with this?", he says, holding up his staff, "Bloody Bo-Peep?".Feldman proved here he had the talent to carry a film, and received strong support from a first-rate cast. Penelope Keith has a small role as 'Lotte', a Teutronic au pair. Alan Bennett puts in an uncredited cameo near the end as a befuddled barrister. And who can forget the luscious Julie Ege as Swedish 'Inga'?Funniest moment - Teddy and Liz having a row while driving around London in a toothpaste tube-shaped car, unaware the speakers are on and that the public can hear every word!Shulman and Kretzmer penned a novelisation to tie-in with the U.K. release. It did not receive an American premiere until 1978, when it was retitled 'Think Dirty!' A B.B.C.-4 documentary on Feldman in the Noughties implied that it was 'barely remembered'. Well, I'm, pleased to say that I remember it. At the time of writing, it still has not had a D.V.D. release.

ptb-8 Very popular in its day as a faux Carry On movie with a better script and strong idea, this farce using Marty Feldman was a huge success in 1970 - 71. His TV show was constantly on air and this opportunity to make a rude color send up of silly advertising ideas went over very well. Rather like the zany energy and ideas seen in a Richard Lester / Beatles film and a pre curser to Benny Hill nonsense, this one had the sense to have a genuinely original comedy star who possibly never bettered himself in another British film. Feldman did star in the Mel Brooks classic Young Frankenstein as well as a couple of half funny pix: The Adverture Of Sherlock Holmes Smarter Brother and The Last Remake Of Beau Geste, probably the better of the two non American films. Julie Ege (fresh from a prehistoric fur bikini epic) was hilarious as his comic foil whether she meant to be or not... which basically is excellent casting. There is a lot of very funny advertising gags and the ads and ideas presented work. In the 50s Tony Randall and Jayne Mansfield starred in a hilarious Frank Tashlin comedy also about the ridiculous ideas seen in advertising; it was called Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter which, believe it or not is more vulgar that this Brit film made 15 years later. Both highly recommended.... especially if you are studying media.

gridoon Marty Feldman was a likable and gifted comedian, but that doesn't mean he couldn't star in some lousy films. Take this terrible comedy for example: the bizarre, sometimes cute fantasy sequences are its only saving grace. This only goes to prove that if you want to turn chaos into comedy, you have to be really good at it (like the Marx Brothers were); otherwise, you'll end up being merely chaotic. (*1/2 )

nobita Let's be honest, what's the funniest thing about a Marty Feldman film? Those eyes! And in this particular film, they are used to great comedic effect. But that being said, if your only interest is Marty Feldman's eyes and the absolutely fantastic wardrobe designed by the very trendy Mr Fish, then this film could be a bit of a bore. Marty Feldman plays an advertising executive who believes one thing: Sex Sells! His main account is a brand of Scottish Porridge and his main thought is how to make it sexy. Marty in this film constantly drifts into dream sequences which touch on every aspect of film and commercial making and sex. This does not help when his very liberal wife is responsible for the 'sex on TV' committee which includes the likes of a very prudent couple, a priest and a colonel. Penelope Keith appears in the film as the Gestapo Nanny. For those interested in very trendy London fashions, then you'll probably enjoy this film. Or if you're interested in a very different comedy that is very cartoon-like you might enjoy this film. If not, then you'll have your finger on the fast forward button a lot.