Up the Front
“When only Frankie's cheek could save Britain from the Hun!”
Synopsis
In Frankie Howerd's third Up... film it's World War I and he plays Lurk, an absolute cowerd, er coward. He's evading the call-up for all he's worth. But one evening he's hypnotised by a drunken hypnotist (Stanley Holloway) into being brave, but he fails to be released from it. So with his yellow streak gone Lurk is down that army office before you can say "titter ye not." Off to war he goes, mingling with sexy spies like Zsa Zsa Gabor and before long, the spellbound recruit is heading hot-foot back to Blighty with the Germans' plan of attack tattooed on his bum, and the Germans are bringing up the rear...! Full of sauce, knowing real-life references and witty remarks to camera, this is a cheeky incorrigible final instalment.
Top Cast
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Frankie Howerd
Private Lurk
Hermione Baddeley
Madame Monique
Robert Coote
General Burke
Bill Fraser
Sergeant Major Groping
Lance Percival
Colonel von Gutz
Dora Bryan
Auntie Cora Crumpington
Peter Bull
General von Kobler
Jonathan Cecil
Captain Nigel Phipps-Fortescue
Percy Herbert
Corporal Lovechild
William Mervyn
Lord Twithampton
Madeline Smith
Fanny
Stanley Holloway
The Great Vincento
Zsa Zsa Gabor
Mata Hari
David Battley
Midgeley
Nicholas Bennett
Mallett
Michael Brennan
Military Policeman
Veronica Clifford
Velma
Mischa De La Motte
Diplomat
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Bob Kellett
- Screenplay & Story
- Eddie Braben, Sid Colin
- Original Score
- Peter Greenwell
- Original Title
- Up the Front
- Country of Origin
- United Kingdom
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 29m
- Production Studios
- Anglo-EMI
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Bob Kellett
Eddie Braben, Sid Colin
Peter Greenwell
Tony Spratling
Al Gell
Beryl Vertue, Terry Glinwood, Ned Sherrin
Department Leadership Roster
Eddie Braben
Screenplay
Bob Kellett
Director
Sid Colin
Screenplay
Peter Greenwell
Original Music Composer
Seamus Flannery
Production Design
Tony Spratling
Director of Photography
Al Gell
Editor
Terry Glinwood
Producer
Ned Sherrin
Producer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Parental Guidance — Unlikely to upset children 8 and older.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Up the Front.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Up the Front.
Movies
War: World War I
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Frequently Asked Questions About Up the Front
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Up the Front about?
In Frankie Howerd's third Up... film it's World War I and he plays Lurk, an absolute cowerd, er coward. He's evading the call-up for all he's worth. But one evening he's hypnotised by a drunken hypnotist (Stanley Holloway) into being brave, but he fails to be released from it. So with his yellow streak gone Lurk is down that army office before you can say "titter ye not." Off to war he goes, mingling with sexy spies like Zsa Zsa Gabor and before long, the spellbound recruit is heading hot-foot back to Blighty with the Germans' plan of attack tattooed on his bum, and the Germans are bringing up the rear...! Full of sauce, knowing real-life references and witty remarks to camera, this is a cheeky incorrigible final instalment.
Who directed Up the Front?
Up the Front was directed by Bob Kellett.
Who stars in Up the Front?
The principal cast of Up the Front includes Frankie Howerd, Hermione Baddeley, Robert Coote, Bill Fraser, Lance Percival.
When was Up the Front released and how long is it?
Up the Front was released in 1972 with a total runtime of 1h 29m.
Who composed the musical score for Up the Front?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Up the Front was composed by Peter Greenwell.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Up the Front?
Up the Front holds official age classifications: GB: PG (Parental Guidance — Unlikely to upset children 8 and older.).