Keep It Clean (1956)

Pugnacious publicity agent Bert Lane (Ronald Shiner) approaches wealthy Mrs Anstey (Jean Cadell) for funds to market a new cleaning gadget – the “Demon” – which has been invented by his brother-in-law Peter, the Marquess of Hurlingford (Colin Gordon) and his former showgirl wife, Kitty (Diane Hart), Bert’s sister.

The result of their encounter is that Bert finds himself involved in a clean-up campaign of a different kind – Mrs A’s one-woman crusade to clean up the British theatre.

Bert isn’t too keen – until he finds there’s a chance to make the acquaintance of several strippers in the process.

Things come to a head when Bert is forced to lead a protest march to the Follies Theatre, where scantily-clad showgirls dance twice nightly. The girls have been warned, though, and are waiting with baskets of ripe tomatoes.

James Hayter plays the part of Mr Bouncenboy, the mercurial boss of Dynamic Publicity Ltd.

Set in the theatreland of London’s West End, this unsophisticated dizzy comedy has ancient gags (ranging from slapstick to striptease) which don’t always hit the mark, but the brisk pace keeps the film ticking along. Ronald Shiner clearly enjoys his own jokes.

Bert Lane
Ronald Shiner
Mr Bouncenboy
James Hayter
Kitty, Marchioness of Hurlingford
Diane Hart
Pat Anstey
Ursula Howells
Violet Tarbottom
Joan Sims
Mrs Anstey
Jean Cadell
Colette Dare
Tonia Bern
Peter, Marquess of Hurlingford
Colin Gordon
Hector Tarbottom
Benny Lee
Slogger O’Reilly
Denis Shaw
Rasher
Gerald Campion
Gregson
Albert Whelan
Lady Pecksniff
Violet Gould
George Buxton
Bert Brownbill
Little Tailor
Tony Sympson
Bridget
Pauline Winter
Audrey
Lillemor Knudsen
Magistrate
Henry Longhurst
General Ponsonby-Goreham
Roger Maxwell
Arthur
Norman Rossington
Pat’s Escort
Humphrey Kent
Charlie
Harry Purvis
Chorus Girls
Christina Lubicz
Ann Lynn
Yvonne Olena
Pat Spencer
Thais Jobbling
Glynne Raymond
Eve Kenney
Diana Satow

Director
David Paltenghi