Will Hay at Narkover: A Rough Start for a Schoolmaster Classic

Is it worth your time?

If you've got a soft spot for 1930s British comedy and want to see where Will Hay perfected his 'clueless but confident' schoolmaster routine, then yes. Watch it. If you need tight pacing, high-end production, or don't find the 'bumbling authority figure' trope charming, you'll probably hate this. It’s a bit of a relic, but it’s got a heartbeat.

Will Hay is the whole show here. You can tell he’s just starting to get the rhythm of the schoolmaster bit, which would become his bread and butter for years. There’s a scene where he’s trying to establish order in a room full of boys who clearly have zero respect for him, and the way he just blusters through the confusion is great.

It’s funny to think about how this compares to other old-school comedies like Clancy in Wall Street. There's a similar vibe of 'let's throw characters together and see who falls over first.' Except here, the falling over is mostly academic.

The Narkover Vibe

The school itself feels like a set built on a Tuesday afternoon, but that’s part of the charm. It’s got that drafty, black-and-white British school energy. Some of the boys in the cast act like they’ve never seen a camera before, which honestly makes the whole thing feel more authentic. It’s not polished, and that’s fine.

• The bit where he tries to fake his credentials? Classic.
• The dialogue moves fast. Sometimes too fast, like they were worried the film reel was going to snap.
• There is a distinct lack of extras in the background scenes. Did everyone go for tea?

I found myself wondering if some of these jokes would have landed better in a theater back in 1935. A lot of the humor is very specific to that era's obsession with public school hierarchy. Today, it feels a bit like watching a weird family tradition you weren't invited to.

One reaction shot of Hay looking over his glasses goes on for at least four seconds too long. It’s almost uncomfortable. But then he mutters something under his breath, and you’re back in it. It’s that kind of movie. You have to lean in to get the joke.

It’s not as punchy as his later stuff, but you can see the blueprint. If you’re a completionist or just like the smell of old celluloid, give it a go. Just don't expect it to change your life. 🏫