I Didn't Do It (film)

I Didn't Do It
Directed byMarcel Varnel
Written by
Produced byMarcel Varnel
StarringGeorge Formby
CinematographyRoy Fogwell
Edited byDouglas Robertson
Music byHarry Bidgood
Production
company
Distributed byColumbia Pictures
Release date
  • 6 August 1945 (1945-08-06)
Running time
97 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

I Didn't Do It is a 1945 British comedy crime film directed by Marcel Varnel and starring George Formby, Dennis Wyndham and Carl Jaffe.[1] It was written by Howard Irving Young, Stephen Black, Norman Lee, Peter Fraser and Michael Vaughan.

Plot

A man named George Trotter staying at a theatrical boarding house is framed for a murder.[2]

Stage-struck George Trotter from Manchester arrives at a London theatrical boarding-house. When resident Hilary Vance murders the man in the room next to Trotters, he frames Trotter.

Cast

Music

Formby's songs include: "She's Got Two Of Everything" (Cunningham/Towers), "I'd Like A Dream Like That" (Formby/Cliffe), and "The Daring Young Man" (Formby/Cliffe).[3]

Release

Because of a realistic murder scene, the film was granted a British 'A' certificate, ensuring no one under the age of 16 would be admitted to the cinema unless accompanied by an adult.[3][4]

Critical reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Nobody would attempt to pretend to believe the naive melodramatics which here pass as story background to Formby's fooling; but since they background Formby, that is probably unimportant. The slapstick aspects of the story are a little better because Formby is the centre of them – climbing in and out of illusionists' baskets, disguising himself in a beard, playing hide-and-seek in a service lift. In this and in the exploitation of his unique brand of charm Formby is in form. He also sings a naughty song or two."[5]

Kine Weekly wrote: "The first half is definitely on the slow side, but from the moment George finds himself a murder suspect, and, with the help of his vaudeville pals, turns amateur sleuth, its pace appreciably quickens. The last lap, a showmanlike mixture of slapstick, vaudeville and melodrama, is a good thrill and fun. In spite of the tardy opening, if is first-rate popular entertainment and a welcome change from conventional Formby fare. It has also good star values."[6]

The Daily Film Renter wrote: "Sturdy direction. Supporting cast is competent without being too obtrusive and it's Formby, Formby all the way, which is just how the fans like it."[7]

Halliwell's Film Guide comments that it is "one of the star's last vehicles, not too bad at all, but without the sweet smell of success."[3]

TV Guide gave the film two out of four stars, and noted, "Five screenwriters collaborated on the script, churning out a lively, witty programmer".[8]

References

  1. ^ "I Didn't Do It". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  2. ^ "I Didn't Do It (1945)". British Film Institute (BFI). Archived from the original on 6 March 2016.
  3. ^ a b c "I Didn't Do It". www.georgeformby.co.uk.
  4. ^ "I Didn't Do It". British Board of Film Classification. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  5. ^ "I Didn't Do It". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 12 (133): 83. 1 January 1945. ProQuest 1305807043.
  6. ^ "I Didn't Do It". Kine Weekly. 340 (1991): 25. 14 June 1945. ProQuest 2676984089.
  7. ^ "I Didn't Do It". The Daily Film Renter. 340 (5250): 5. 13 June 1945. ProQuest 3130676569.
  8. ^ "I Didn't Do It | TV Guide". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on 21 November 2017.
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