Oh, Daddy! (1935): A weird, breezy trip to the big city

Should you watch this?

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 vibe

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.

Random observations

• Leslie Henson is constantly doing the most. He’s bouncing off the walls while everyone else seems to be acting in a slightly more grounded play.
• There’s a scene in a nightclub that goes on for a weirdly long time. I think the camera just forgot to cut away, or maybe they just really liked the band.
• The Purity League members in the beginning look so miserable. Like, they’re literally sucking the joy out of the room. It’s almost impressive.
• The lighting in the London scenes is surprisingly moody. It’s not just flat, bright studio filler.

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. 🤷‍♂️

Final thoughts (or lack thereof)

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.