Play It Cool

One of Michael Winner's first films, he was 27 at the time, this is no great film but has charm and significance aplenty. The songs are not very strong, the acting even less so, but Winner keeps things moving along and if the story is weak, at least we don't hang about. Instead of this being a stage-bound, 'Let's put on a show' type effort it does give the impression of being something more exciting and 'happening'. Unfortunately for the makers not just the music world but the world itself was about to change. Six months after the release of this film The Beatles released their first single and within another three months they were a phenomenon and joined by The Rolling Stones and many others. The fifties would finally be over, even though this would be 1963 and the sixties would commence, a little late but with great voice. So this film represents a showcase for the last days of an old music and pretty tired it was becoming, too. Billy Fury does okay and all the performers do as well as they can be expected to with average material and are captured as excitingly as possible by the director.

In 2003, I was responsible for having the one remaining print of this film repaired and shown in a full-scale, traditional cinema for the first time in about 35 years - appropriately the screen backed a stage on which Billy Fury actually performed twice. It is true that many very poor pop music films were produced in Britain in the early 1960s. Play It Cool is not, however, a poor film. It has a charm, drive and integrity that singles it out from the dross. Billy Fury never claimed to be a natural actor. In interviews, he said repeatedly that he was keen to take cameo roles that gave him the opportunity to focus with intensity on his character. However, Play It Cool placed on his shoulders the responsibility of accepting the entire focus of the plot, and he brought energy and imagination to the role. Michael Winner has often remarked on the respect he felt for Billy Fury in accepting a star role in a medium that was so foreign to him, and in delivering such an authoritative performance. I am more than happy to simply endorse Mr Winner's verdict.

I have watched Play it Cool and like ALL "Pop" movies including Elvis films, the plot is very weak............but Billy Fury makes up for the weak plot with his fantastic vocals throughout the film. Certainly a film to purchase as there aren't many films or footage around of Billy Fury singing. Billy Fury was not an Elvis copycat although he idolised him, he was the first Rock N Roll Star to ever pen his own songs and was the first ever person to produce an album completely written by himself, an album that is still today regarded as the greatest rock n roll album ever! The album's name.....The Sound Of Fury... need I say more!?! Play it cool,although "corny" is a part of British rock n roll history.

A must for all you Rock N Rollers and sixties fans!!!

I'd give this 9 out of ten of Bobby Vee sang a few more songs. Billy Fury and Helen Shapiro appear and sing adding much interest to this well made 1962 Brit nightclub musical with excellent images and music allowing more than a dream glimpse into London of the time. This is a good scrapbook/jukebox musical and I certainly encourage you to enjoy it. I find Bobby See astonishing. He died recently and equipped with looks and song talent he is a welcome addition to this movie. Helen Shapiro is gorgeous and very direct in her style. Billy Fury is an Elvis/Cliff Richard mix and I have no argument with his performance or style. I know the limp floppy look of Fury irritates some but it was his individual look and it worked for him. This is a well made musical and a bonus with the guest stars and the crafted musical sequences.

Shown this and Helen Shapiro's only other movie 'It's Trad Dad' side by side you'd be hard pressed to say which director was to prove the one to watch - and it's hard to remember now that fifty years ago Michael Winner seemed promising.

But that WAS a very long time ago, when beatniks rather than hippies were parodied (Marianne Stone had recently played a similar role for Stanley Kubrick in 'Lolita') and 7/6d seemed like an extortionate sum to be billed in a nightclub.

Winner seems to have been working with a bigger budget but an even triter script than Lester, and the heroine (Anna Palk) is that old cliche from thirty years earlier: a runaway heiress! Winner nevertheless breezes with gusto through all this nonsense and it's all pleasantly enjoyable to sit through.

"Well that's it everybody! Keep twisting!!"