Turned Out Nice Again

Most of George Formby's comedies had the same story arc. First he would accidentally cause trouble (getting a chance to shout his catchphrase "Ooooh, Mother!"). Then he would accidentally solve the problem through his own stupidity, thus getting a chance to grin at the camera and speak his second catchphrase: "Turned out nice again!" ... which is also the title of this film. "Turned Out Nice Again" is an unusual departure from Formby's formula. In this comedy he actually plays a realistic human being, and the comedy is more restrained than usual for him (but still funny). George plays the manager of a textile mill, faced with hard times and a villainous competitor who wants to steal his business. Hoping to find an outlet for his products, George organises an underwear fashion show which is the highlight of the film. George strums his banjo and sings "You Can't Go Wrong with These" from the sidelines while an assortment of female models stroll past the camera, dressed in a dazzling assortment of 1930s female undergarments. If you fancy a look at some old-fashioned directoire knickers, you'll rewind this scene several times. Michael Rennie (pre-Klaatu) plays a small role as a restaurant patron who unintentionally helps the villain in his scheme to cheat George. Rennie is so devastatingly handsome here that his brief appearance throws the whole film off rhythm; movie-goers must have wondered: "Who is that good-looking man?" Wilfrid Hyde-White has a tiny role as one of two men who come to repossess George's fixtures. "Turned Out Nice Again" deserves 6 out of 10.