The Goons - Down Among The Z Men [1952]

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Although they made their name in the medium of radio, the legendary Goons also made brief forays into the world of television and, with Down Among the Z Men, film. It captures the team at a very early stage in their career, with Michael Bentine still in the fold, and with their unique, anarchic brand of humour still in its infancy. Sadly, the style and feel of the film does little to suit their comedy style. While radio offered an opportunity for their imaginations to run riot, here the four find themselves tied to a few stock characters, most of whom would make a more animated appearances later in their career. The plot--with its tale of eccentric professors and evil spies--sees a series of musical numbers and a variety performance crow barred into the proceedings. Those who wish to add to an already existing Goons collection may want to consider this, but anyone wondering what all the fuss is about should head straight for the many radio collections available and hear the sound of true genius at work.

On The DVD: Down Among the Z Men offers little to recommend, with the DVD lacking in any extras whatsoever. Being taken from an original fifties print, the black and white picture is of reasonable quality yet cannot help but look extremely dated. At best it is the sort of curio that would pass time on a Sunday afternoon but it is hard to consider this a particularly essential DVD release. –-Phil Udell

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Customer reviews

review by: herbertanchovy date: 2004-05-05 rating:
utter tripe
what a mess! I love the goons radio show but this bears little resemblance. a big dissapointment, dont bother with it. unfunny


review by: date: 2003-09-15 rating:
For true Goon fans only
The Goon show movie is a curiosity. Goon show and/or Peter Sellers fans will want to have it. Others might be disapointed.

It is not very long. (Only 1 hour 7 minutes.) It is quite dated. A paper-thin plot padded out with non-Goon dance numbers and songs. There is a stage show whos only point seems to be to show off Peter Sellers and the dancing girls.

It does have a few interesting bits. Peter Sellers has a monologue with multiple characters in the stage review at the end. There are a few laughs off and on. (Mostly off.)

The Goons humor works better on radio. This movie shows just why.

But I am not sorry I got it. It is a very odd movie that does have a few worthwhile bits and is worth seeing once.

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Similar categories

Video . DVD & VHS . Categories . Classics . Comedy
Video . DVD & VHS . Categories . Comedy . All Comedy
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Format (binding_browse-bin) . VHS
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . BBFC Rating (intended_use_browse-bin) . U
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Editions (feature_two_browse-bin) . Standard Edition
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Release Date (feature_three_browse-bin) . 1950 - 1959
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Language (theme_browse-bin) . English
Video . Video . Categories . Classic Films . Actors . Sellers, Peter
Video . Video . Categories . Classic Films . Comedy . 1950s
Video . Video . Categories . Comedy . General
Video . Video . Refinements . Condition (condition-type)

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