Up the Front
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Up the Front is a classic British comedy. A spin-off from the hit series Up Pompeii!, directed by Bob Kellett, it stars Frankie Howard as Lurk, a coward who is hypnotised into bravery. Set during the first world war, Lurk is transported from his role as a lowly servant in the household of Lord and Lady Twithampton (William Mervyn & Linda Gray) to the Western Front.
Lurk is inspired to bravery, and upon receiving the German masterplan for the entire war, which has through an unlikely series of events been tattooed onto his posterior, is pursued across France by German intelligence. After breaking into the British military headquarters to deliver the plans into the hands of General Burke (Robert Coote), he is confronted by the sensuous German spy Mata Hari (Zsa Zsa Gabor). After foiling Mata Hari's scheme to relieve him of the plan, a hilarious scene develops in which he is pursued by the nefarious Von Gutz (Lance Percival) and his henchmen Donner and Blitzen (Gertan Klauber and Stanley Labor).
Accompanied by the Can-Can, performed by the Famous Buttercup Girls, Lurk is pursued around the Allied headquarters. Finally, disguised as a tree, he is able to present the plans to General Burke, to the famous line:
General Burke: "Lurk, bend over" Lurk: "I thought you'd never ask"
Having successfully delivered the plans into the hands of British intelligence, Lurk receives a medal of honour and a promotion. He is therefore able to win the love of his beloved Fanny (Madeleine Smith) and defeat the machinations of the wicked Sgt. Major Groping (Bill Fraser).
There is also a cameo by a young Bob Hoskins.
