5.7/10
Senior Film Conservator

A definitive 5.7/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Oh, Daddy! remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you're a fan of 1930s British comedy and don't mind a story that feels like it’s being held together by nothing but sheer optimism, then Oh, Daddy! is worth a look. It’s light, it’s fluffy, and it moves fast. If you need grit or high-stakes drama, you’ll probably find this thing insufferable.
It’s not trying to win an Oscar. It’s trying to be a distraction. And honestly? It succeeds.
The whole premise is classic fish-out-of-water stuff. We have this guy, a total stick-in-the-mud from the local Purity League, heading into the belly of the beast: London. It’s 1935, and the city is presented as this glittery, slightly dangerous playground compared to his quiet, dusty village.
I found myself actually smiling at the absurdity of it all. It’s much more fun than Neglected Women, which feels like a chore by comparison.
The humor is very… of its time. Some of it lands perfectly. Some of it just makes you go, "Wait, what?" There’s a bit with a phone call that lasted two minutes too long, and you can tell the actors were just improvising to fill the silence. 🤷♂️
The pacing is a total mess, but it’s a fun mess. It’s not anywhere near as tense as something like Shock Troop, but it’s not trying to be. It’s a 1930s comedy. You know exactly what you’re getting.
I left this feeling like I’d just had a cup of tea that had sat out for a bit too long. Not great, but comforting enough. Sometimes, that’s all a movie needs to be. Don't overthink it.