Skip to content

EXPRESSO BONGO

Written By:

John Knott
expresso-bongo

As any pub-quiz geek knows, Cliff Richard’s first movie role was Curley Thompson in Serious Charge (1959). But unless they really fancy an argument with the quizmaster that they’re unlikely to win, they’ll always write down that the answer is Bert Rudge in Expresso Bongo because Curley was very much a cameo and he hardly had a line. So here’s a 19-year old Cliff when he was a pop sensation (complete with The Shadows) alongside Laurence Harvey and no less that Sylvia Sims, in the film adaptation of the previous year’s West End hit (although none of the aforementioned were actually in the stage show).

Johnny Jackson (Harvey) is a sleazy agent looking for some musical talent he can make a quick buck from. While taking his stripper girlfriend Maisie (Sims) to an espresso bar, he comes across Bert the Barista (Richards) jamming with The Shadows on his bongos . But Johnny isn’t interested in Bert’s bongos (which aren’t very impressive, it has to be said); it’s Bert’s voice he rates. To be fair his voice was certainly better than his acting but Bert just wants to, like drum, maaan (or possibly cat). But Johnny changes Bert’s name to Bongo Herbert (which probably wasn’t quite as funny in 1959) and after a few amusing entanglements with record companies, he’s soon attracting attention from the public as well as the not-quite-over-the-hill singer, Dixie (Yolande). Dixie thinks Bongo is getting a raw deal and she’s going to put things right.

While there is a great deal of interest in Expresso Bongo, one can’t honestly say it’s still particularly entertaining. The strip club scenes are remarkably risqué for a 1959 movie with only an A-certificate and Sylvia Sims as a stripper is quite a surprise only a year after Ice Cold in Alex (1958). There’s also an interesting twist as Johnny cynically attempts to get Bongo accepted by the establishment with some religious-type song about his mother. Bearing in mind Cliff’s later career, this seems like life imitating art (or something). But it’s not until the 45-minute mark that someone bursts into song in the middle of a conversation that we’re reminded that this is actually supposed to be a musical. Unfortunately, not a very good one, as the songs are completely forgettable. In fact, even Cliff’s properly staged songs with The Shadows are a bit ropey, which might explain why the then-very-hot Cliff’s EP from the movie failed to go top 10.

So today the best we can say about the movie is that the opening credits are great and that the strippers’ historical review (featuring Sylvia Sims in a mortar board) has to be seen to be believed. “Get you Brutus”, indeed. Oh, and there’s a nice (but short) turn from Wilfrid Lawson as Burt’s Dad. Other than that, this is strictly for historical pop interest. Did we mention Cliff’s acting is dreadful?

Special Features: Shorter cut with fewer songs / gallery / Youth Club: A documentary about juvenile delinquency / illustrated booklet.

EXPRESSO BONGO (1959) / CERT: 12 / DIRECTOR: VAL GUEST / SCREENPLAY: WOLF MANKOWITZ / STARRING: LAURENCE HARVEY, CLIFF RICHARD, SYLVIA SIMS, YOLANDE DONLAN, ERIC POHLMANN, HERMIONE BADDELEY, GILBERT HARDING, WILFRID LAWSON, SUSAN HAMPSHIRE, THE SHADOWS / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW

John Knott

You May Also Like...

chinese remake of anaconda drops trailer

ANACONDA Trailer Grants First Look At Remake Of 1997 Horror Flick

Three sequels and a spinoff-crossover film wasn’t enough for the 1997 creature feature Anaconda, which not only has a new movie in development, but is getting a Chinese remake! From
Read More
black widow star scarlett johansson in talks to lead new universal jurassic world film

Scarlett Johansson In Talks To Join JURASSIC WORLD Film

Another MCU star appears to be taking up the reins for Universal’s new Jurassic World movie: two-time Oscar nominee Scarlett Johansson is reportedly in talks to lead the franchise that
Read More

Exclusive Reveal! Titan Comics to Deliver Prehistoric Hysterics in First 2 DUMB DINOS Collection

Titan Comics have exclusively revealed to STARBURST that they’re gearing up to publish the first-ever collection of the hilarious cult digital comic strip 2 Dumb Dinos, and we’re not the
Read More

New Dates For Lovecraftian Key of Dreams

Key of Dreams has announced new spaces for its titular immersive luxury horror event. The critically acclaimed company is known for its overnight experiences that dunk you into a strange
Read More

FAB Café to Host Free Film Screening of New Indie Comedy SECRETS OF A WALLABY BOY

We’re well known for our championing of truly independent filmmakers here at STARBURST, so it’s doubly exciting to be writing about one of our own! After joining the crew in
Read More
colin farrell returns as oswald cobblepot in the penguin series trailer

Colin Farrell Returns In THE PENGUIN Trailer

Colin Farrell returns as Gotham City’s answer to Tony Soprano in the first trailer for Max series The Penguin, which spins out of the world of the 2022 DC film
Read More