In October 2020, Sir Cliff Richard celebrated his 80th birthday, and I knew I was going to watch one of his movies, besides Summer Holiday, which I had already seen a long while ago, so I chose this one, directed by Sidney J. Furie (The Ipcress File, The Entity, Superman IV: The Quest for Peace). Basically, set in the West End of London, Nicholas 'Nicky' Black (Cliff Richard), an aspiring singer, and his friends are part of a youth club. The club is in trouble of being torn down by unscrupulous millionaire property developer Hamilton Black (Robert Morley), Nicky's father, who plans to make room for a large office block. The youth club members decide to put on a variety show to raise the money needed to buy a lease renewal. While they make plans for the show, Nicky enjoys a romantic relationship with the beautiful Toni (Carole Gray). Nicky hides the fact that he is Hamilton's son from his friends, until they try to kidnap his father to prevent him from stopping the show. Although he is fighting against his father for the future of the club, Nicky cannot allow his friends to harm him, so he stops them and frees Hamilton. Meanwhile, London has been enjoying and talking about the music of a mystery singer, heard on the radio and television through pirate broadcasts, this becomes part of the youth club members promotion for the show. Hamilton is surprised when he realises himself that Nicky is the mystery singer, and he is filled with pride for his son, and has a change of heart regarding his building plans. Although he has already bought the theatre the show is taking place, to be able to stop it, the proud father decides the show must go on. Nicky sings for the cheering audience, presumably many of them have found out he is the mystery, and his band, The Shadows (Jet Harris, Hank B. Marvin, Tony Meehan, and Bruce Welch) play their music. At the end, Hamilton joins Nicky and the youth club members on stage, dancing and singing, after having promised to build them a new youth club. Also starring Melvyn Hayes as Jimmy, Richard O'Sullivan as Ernest, Teddy Green as Chris, and Annette Robertson as Barbara. Featuring the songs "Nothing's Impossible", "The Young Ones" (UK Number One), "Got a Funny Feeling", "The Savage", and "We Say Yeah". Cliff is charming and good looking, and obviously his voice is terrific, Morley is amusing as the stingy millionaire, Gray is alright as the love interest, and The Shadows play fantastically. It is a very simple story, one probably seen a number of times, but the colourful costumes, catchy songs and one or two amusing moments keep things interesting, not one of the most memorable films, but a fun musical. "The Young Ones" was number 98 on The 100 Greatest Number One Singles, and Cliff Richard was number one on The Ultimate Pop Star. Worth watching!
Review of Wonderful to Be Young!
