Mister Ten Per Cent
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | 1967 |
| Founder | Peter Graham Scott (director), Charlie Drake (co-writer and actor) |
| Products | Comedy film |
Mister Ten Per Cent is a 1967 British comedy film helmed by director Peter Graham Scott, featuring performances from Charlie Drake, Derek Nimmo, and Wanda Ventham. The screenplay was crafted by Mira Avrech, Charlie Drake, Norman Hudis, and Lew Schwarz.
This movie represents the last of four collaborations between Drake and the Associated British Picture Corporation, following earlier titles such as Sands of the Desert (1960), Petticoat Pirates (1961), and The Cracksman (1963).
Plot
Percy Pointer, who works in construction and dabbles in playwriting, pens a drama called Oh My Lord. A corrupt producer supports the production with the intention of orchestrating its failure to collect insurance money. Contrary to expectations, the audience interprets the play as slapstick comedy, turning it into a surprising success.
Although the play thrives, Percy is distressed by the unintended comedic reception and attempts to undermine the show. Unfamiliar with theatrical contracts, he inadvertently relinquishes 10% of earnings to multiple parties, resulting in claims exceeding 100%.
His efforts to disrupt the production lead to his ejection from the theatre, but he sneaks backstage to create further disorder. The crowd assumes these disruptions are part of the performance and responds with enthusiasm. Percy then addresses the audience directly, questioning why his serious drama is amusing; despite no reply, they applaud him.
Cast
- Charlie Drake as Percy Pointer
- Derek Nimmo as Tony
- Wanda Ventham as Kathy
- John Le Mesurier as Jocelyn Macauley
- Anthony Nicholls as Casey
- Noel Dyson as Mrs. Gorman
- John Hewer as Townsend
- Anthony Gardner as Claude Crepe
- Ronald Radd as publicity man
- John Laurie as Scotsman
- Colin Douglas as policeman
- Annette Andre as Muriel
- Justine Lord as Lady Dorothea
- George Baker as Lord Edward
- Joyce Blair as 1st Lady Dorothea
- Una Stubbs as 2nd Lady Dorothea
- Nicole Shelby as Fiona
- Gina Warwick as Ellen
- Percy Herbert as Inspector Great
- Desmond Roberts as manservant
- Lyn Ashley as maid
- Roy Beck as theater-goer
- Pauline Chamberlain as woman in theatre audience
- Carol Cleveland as girl at theatre party
- Valerie Van Ost as girl at theatre party
Production
Filming took place at Elstree Studios, along with various locations throughout London.
Critical reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin remarked that although Charlie Drake demonstrated notable comedic ability on television, this was diminished by lackluster direction and an unwieldy script in this film. Attempts at humor—including bawdy jokes and malapropisms—failed to invigorate the production, concluding with a finale more reminiscent of a Norman Wisdom vehicle than showcasing Drake’s sharper comedic style.
According to Kine Weekly, the narrative about a serious playwright whose work inadvertently amuses audiences echoes themes from the 1934 play Young England. The film unfolds in two segments: an initially straightforward first hour offering subtle humor for Drake enthusiasts, followed by a slapstick-driven conclusion where Percy’s character employs physical comedy to sabotage his own play's opening night, culminating in chaotic mayhem.
The Radio Times Guide to Films awarded it 2 out of 5 stars, noting Drake’s modest cinematic career of four films over thirteen years before this commercial disappointment. Co-written by Drake alongside Norman Hudis, the story about staging a deliberately failed show for insurance purposes predates Mel Brooks’ The Producers by one year. Despite a seasoned cast, criticism centered on Drake’s performance contributing to the film’s poor reception and his subsequent brief retirement from acting.
Releases
The movie became available on DVD in 2014. The accompanying sleeve notes highlight its narrative resemblance to Mel Brooks' The Producers, pointing out that it was released one year earlier than Brooks' work.