Tommy the Toreador

Light-hearted, Tommy Steele comedy vehicle which although enjoyable is extremely un-PC! The comedy comes from the farcical elements of the story (Tommy being mistaken for a toreador)and this works, on the whole. Famous for the 'Little White Bull' number. Rainy Saturday afternoon sort of a film - 5/10

It has been a while since I saw this film and remember thinking that this was a wasted cast. Despite the presence of Sid James, Kenneth Williams and Eric Sykes this movie isn't all that funny. Tommy Steele's permanent and inane grin was certainly not an asset to this movie. Either he was a sandwich short of the picnic or he knew that he was getting paid too much for this bad flick. I suspect that it was the latter.

Directed by a name familiar from some of Norman Wisdom's comedies this movie treads uneasily between slap stick and musical without being successful as either. If for nothing else it is worth fans of the Carry Ons watching this just to see Sid James 'singing'. I guess in its day this movie was aimed at the sort of person that 10 years ago would have gone to see Spice World. Despite the desperate attempts to be a cheerful movie this really doesn't do much to lift the spirits.

By the times of the film's release, Tommy Steele style of music and popularity with the teenage audience had already begun to be overtaken by British pop artists like Cliff Richard, Marty Wilde and Billy Fury. The film was proof, if proof was needed, that Tommy Steele had decided to widen his horizons in the entertainment world by launching himself into the world of musicals as a song and dance man. 'Tommy the Toreador' is mildly amusing and does offer our cockney hero the opportunity to show his skills as an all round entertainer. He gets great support from Sid James and Bernard Cribbins, who give the film a thin slice of humour and energy. The flimsy and fluffy storyline merely serves to give Tommy the chance to connect to a much younger audience with his rendition of 'Little White Bull,' and 'I'm Looking for the Birdy' - both simple and childish songs. This is a very average and dated musical and at times loses its way. Tommy Steele was an endearing, loveable cockney character in this film but he doesn't show any dynamism or charisma which would have audiences flocking to see him. He would achieve much greater success in the 1960's where he starred in films with considerably larger budgets.

This film is a classic. If you are feeling low then there is nothing like a cheesy film from the old Ealing era. This is one of those classics. It really lifts your spirits... it is bordering on the worst side of comedy, as well as the worst side of musicals, but it is this that makes it work. The songs are catchy and leave you wanting to sing them forever. Watch the birdie, and little white bull especially. Every time I need a pick me up this film goes on. Tommy Steele is like Marmite, you either love him or you hate him. I love him too and so does the children. The children sit in silence apart from singing along to all the songs. Even Disney has not managed that.

This film is crap from start to finish. Tommy Steele was already past his best, which lasted ten minutes as a pseudo -cheerful Cockney tweeter.

There is nothing amusing about bullfighting and this film is the pits as regards both morals and display of talent. Avoid.

How much more do I have to say to fill the necessary ten lines IMDb requires?

Sid James does the minimum.

Bernard Cribbins is as Spanish as a dog poop.

FFS why does this need to extend to more. The film is absolute trash. End of.