Director: John Gilling
Screenplay: John Antrobus
Based on the novel by: William Camp
Starring: William Bendix, Anthony Newley, Anne Aubrey, Lionel Jeffries, Sidney James, David Lodge, Dilys Laye, William Kendall, Bernie Winters, Sean Kelly, Harry Fowler, Percy Herbert
Country: United Kingdom
Running Time: 85 min
Year: 1959
BBFC Certificate: PG
The late Anthony Newley was big news in the 1950s and 1960s. The actor and singer, who was also a director, comedian and composer, had two number one hits in the UK Singles Charts, as part of around a dozen charting songs in total, was a 1963 Grammy Award for the song What Kind of Fool Am I?, which was sung by Sammy Davis Jr, and wrote Feeling Good, which has been performed by a number of artists, not least Nina Simone.
On screen, he collaborated with John Barry on the title song for the 007 film Goldfinger, performed marvellously by Shirley Bassey, made over 20 films in the 1950s alone, and will be fondly remembered for starring in his ATV creation The Strange World of Gurney Slade (1960) and film The Small World of Sammy Lee (1963).
This brief overview of Newley just scratches the surface of his fantastic career, which also saw him contracted to Warwick Films – the creation of James Bond producer Albert R. Broccoli and Irving Allen – for a while, and one of the films he featured in is the subject of this review, Idle on Parade (AKA Idol on Parade, 1959) – the film that launched his chart career.
The film, directed by John Gilling and scripted by John Antrobus from William Camp’s 1958 novel follows pop star Jeep Jackson (Newley) who is called up into the wrong regiment in the Army where he undergoes training alongside trying to continue his music recording career, causing a media circus because of his celebrity status.
Because Jeep’s attempts at continuing his pop career are disrupting the camp and causing constant clashes with his superior Sergeant Major Lush (William Bendix) and Captain Bertie (Lionel Jeffries), the platoon comes into conflict with him, particularly those superiors.
The film opens with Anthony Newley’s Jeep Jackson playing a guitar and singing against a black backdrop, as the titles are displayed. Once the titles conclude, we see he’s performing in front of an appreciative audience. Newley’s performance in the opening is Elvis Presley-like suggesting producers may have been looking to capitalise on the American icon’s transition into films.
It’s also the first time Newley sang in a film, and this would catapult him to the music limelight. Four of the five songs from the soundtrack made the top 20, with I’ve Waited So Long charting at number three.
After that creative opening, we’re thrust into the main plot. Jeep has been mistakenly drafted and his celebrity status leads to chaos and japes. What plays out is a Carry On-like film, with plenty of gags.
There’s a small supporting role for a pre-Carry On Sid James (billed as Sidney), which gives him a chance to give us his trademark infectious laugh a year before he’d make his debut in the long running comedy franchise in Carry On Constable. James’ character drives the plot forward as he wants to keep Jeep in the public eye and arranged concert whilst Jeep is serving in the armed forced.
Top billed American actor William Bendix, playing an Irish drill sergeant in his first role in an English film, and Lionel Jeffries are both good in the Army leadership roles and Anne Aubrey is lovely as the love interest for Newley’s Jeep. And then there’s Newley. He’s given a chance to perform and show his singing chops, with some memorable UK chart hits and he gives his all in the part. There are also some marvellous supporting roles, some very minor, with the likes of Bernie Winters and Dilys Laye, familiar faces from a certain era, bringing a smile to the face.
The biggest issue I had with the film is that it’s played for laughs but very few of the jokes raised much more than a smile for me. It’s not a great script, and we’re left to the actors to do the best they can with it with a plot that’s very predictable. But they do that well – the cast is always entertaining, particularly Newley, and as a result there’s plenty to admire
The film looks great in Cinemascope with some interesting pans between character conversations and whilst out on location.
As one of the essay points out the film is caught between two worlds, the old with its tale of serving in the British Armed Forces juxtaposed with a story of a rock n ‘roll act which was popular at the time. It is an okay example of both.
It’s great to see the likes of Bendix, James, Winters and Laye and what producer Albert R. Broccoli was up to before the 007 series, I’ve got a soft spot for Newley on screen, and the performances, songs and cinematography did just enough to keep me entertained. But with a better script Idle On Parade could have been much more than the sum of its parts. As I’ve mentioned, it would send Newley into music stardom though and is an entertaining vehicle for the actor, comedian and singer.
Film: 
Idle on Parade is released on world premiere limited edition Blu-ray by Powerhouse Films on their Indicator label on 23 February 2026. The high definition remaster looks pretty good throughout, reasonable detail, and natural blacks, whites and greys. The audio is also good, and I had no issues with it.
Indicator limited edition Blu-ray special features:
High Definition remaster
Original mono audio
Audio commentary with writers Barry Forshaw and Kim Newman (2026)
Neil Brand on ‘Idle on Parade’ (2026): in-depth appreciation of the film and its soundtrack by the composer and broadcaster
Jack of What Trade? (1952): short dramatised film, produced by the Central Office of Information and directed by Margaret Thomson, featuring a teenage Anthony Newley
Original theatrical trailer
Image gallery: promotional and publicity material
New English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by David Cottis, a collection of archival articles on Anthony Newley, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and film credits
World premiere on Blu-ray
Limited edition of 3,000 copies for the UK
Indicator provide the opportunity to watch the film with both versions of the title, the UK with Idle and the US with the spelling Idol.
The extras start with Barry Forshaw and Kim Newman chatting through a typically excellent commentary which covers loads of background on the film, the stars, the music, the production and insights into some of the scenes. It’s a corking listen.
Neil Brand provides a typically good 10-minute piece which provides context about national service, the popularity of army films which morphed into army caper films like Carry On Sergeant, a year before Idle On Parade, the music film, and the movie as a vehicle for Newley. Given this is a piece by Brand, there’s also plenty of insightful into the music and songs. Great stuff.
Jack of What Trade? Is a Crown Film Unit/ Central Office of Information production running for 17 minutes and featuring a young Anthony Newley. It looks at the work of a youth employment officer in a dramatization that provides a gem of a montage sequence featuring Newley performing a variety of roles. It is a marvellous little curio and a welcome inclusion that looks pretty good too thanks to a good transfer.
The disc concludes with a decent three-minute trailer and around 40 stills, promo materials and posters in an image gallery.
The 40-page booklet is typically strong from Indicator, opening with a cracking new essay by David Cottis that covers plenty of ground and is a good introduction to the film, particularly when comparing it to the novel (very little of the source material made it to the big screen). The rest of the booklet contains an archival piece, including some comments from Newley, a roundup of the critical responses and an excellent piece about Jack of What Trade? by Bethan Roberts. It is lavishly illustrated with black and white stills.
So, it’s a strong package from Indicator, providing plenty of background and important context through the brilliant commentary, piece by Neil Brand and a typically excellent booklet, supported by a wonderful Central Office of Information film.
Disc/Package: 