Not Wanted on Voyage


Not Wanted on Voyage is a 1957 British comedy film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring Ronald Shiner, Brian Rix and Catherine Boyle. It was written by Michael Pertwee, Evadne Price and Dudley Turrock based on the 1949 play Wanted on Voyage by Ken Attiwill and his wife Evadne Price, and was made at British National Studios.

Plot

Two cabin stewards working on a luxury vessel on a Mediterranean cruise to Tangier attempt to earn extra money from the passengers using every possible means. However, when one of the wealthy dowagers has her valuable diamond necklace stolen, they do everything they can to ensure it is restored to her.

Cast

Box office

Kinematograph Weekly declared the film "proved popular" at the box office.

Critical reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "An alarming proportion of the gags and farcical situations misfire, so that the film is mostly rather tepid Whitehall farce. Therese Burton's lisping newly-wed has a quaintness and mild charm that singles it out from the rest."
In The Radio Times Guide to Films David Parkinson gave the film 1/5 stars, writing: "A story about a luxury liner and a stolen necklace – sounds familiar? The script of Titanic might not be poetry, but it's a darn sight better than the drivel that passes for dialogue in this dismal comedy. Co-screenwriter Michael Pertwee enjoyed considerable success both before and after making a contribution to this venture, which is so unfunny that even gallant troupers Ronald Shiner and Brian Rix cannot conceal their dismay."
TV Guide wrote, "Too much corn stops this comedy from popping."
Allmovie wrote, "Even those filmgoers who'd seen and heard the wheezy gags in Not Wanted on Voyage in earlier films were amused by the breezy ridiculousness of the project."
British film critic Leslie Halliwell said: "Feeble fun from an old play."