The Deputy Drummer

The Deputy Drummer
Opening titles
Directed byLupino Lane
Written by
Based onthe musical Darling, I Love You by Stanley Brightman & Arthur Rigby
Produced byIan Sutherland
Starring
CinematographyAlex Bryce
Edited bySam Simmonds
Music by
Production
company
St. George's Pictures
Distributed byColumbia Pictures
Release date
  • September 1935 (1935-09)
Running time
71 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

The Deputy Drummer is a 1935 British musical film directed by Lupino Lane and starring Lane, Jean Denis and Kathleen Kelly.[1] It was written by Stanley Brightman, Peter Cheyney, Reginald Long, Frank Miller and Arthur Rigby based on the 1930 musical Darling I Love You by Stanley Brightman and Rigby.[2][3]

Synopsis

Drummer and aspiring composer Adolphus Miggs is fired by his exasperated bandleader. A talent agent secures him a job as a drummer at a society party, unaware that his former band have also been hired. To add to the confusion he masquerades as an aristocrat of the same name. Fortunately in the process he manages to foil some jewel thieves.

Cast

Production

The film was shot at Wembley Studios as a quota quickie for release by the American company Columbia Pictures[4] with sets designed by art director Andrew Mazzei.[5]

Reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "The film is played far too much as a theatrical instead of a film comedy and all its faults arise from that. The dream of the unconscious Miggs might have been omitted as being neither beautiful nor amusing. Lupino Lane's acrobatics provide most of the laughter ; the rest of the acting is on a level with a good impromptu charade."[6]

The Daily Film Renter wrote: "Indifferent direction fails to infuse poor plot material with either humour or conviction, while climax is halted for interpolation of irrelevant slapstick ballet 'dream' sequence. Main laughs ensue from star's acrobatics and quota of furniture-smashing 'rough house.' Musical side of production is undistinguished. For most uncritical audiences only."[7]

Picturegoer wrote: "Amateurish production on stage lines which is so incredibly weak in plot that it exercises hardly any appeal at all. Lupino Lane's dances are its only asset".[8]

References

  1. ↑ "The Deputy Drummer". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 16 April 2026.
  2. ↑ Gifford, Denis (1 April 2016). British Film Catalogue: Two Volume Set - The Fiction Film/The Non-Fiction Film. Routledge. ISBN 9781317740636 – via Google Books.
  3. ↑ "XMS38 - Theatre Collection - 1921-1962: 'Darling, I Love You' by Stanley Brightman and Arthur Rigby". University of Birmingham Cadbury Research Library. Retrieved 16 April 2026.
  4. ↑ Chibnall, Steve. (2007). Quota Quickies: The Birth of the British 'B' Film. British Film Institute. p. 283. ISBN 978-1844571550.
  5. ↑ "Andrew Mazzei". BFI. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016.
  6. ↑ "The Deputy Drummer". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 2 (13): 123. 1 January 1935. ProQuest 1305803422.
  7. ↑ "The Deputy Drummer". The Daily Film Renter (2652): 18. 12 September 1935. ProQuest 2826296225.
  8. ↑ "The Deputy Drummer". Picturegoer. 5: 26. 6 February 1936. ProQuest 1771196764.
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