On the Fiddle

On the Fiddle (U.S. titles Operation Snafu and Operation War Head) is a 1961 British comedy film directed by Cyril Frankel and starring Sean Connery, Alfred Lynch, Cecil Parker, Stanley Holloway, Eric Barker, Mike Sarne, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Kathleen Harrison, Victor Maddern and John Le Mesurier.

Very quickly, he makes friends with the easy going, but loyal, Pedlar Pascoe who happily goes along with all of his scams, which mainly involve taking money for leave passes and for organising postings close to home.

Their record eventually catches up with them, but by that time they have been sent on a mission to occupied France, where they continue their scams, selling food and supplies to the grateful newly-liberated French.

During a 1961 trip to England Alan King made a brief appearance in the film and forgot about it until the American release gave him second billing.

Only at the end does the film lose contact with his essential character when he miraculously demonstrates a wily bravery in besting the enemy.

For the rest, director Cyril Frankel handles the barrack-room humour with a firmness that, in the main, doesn't let its exhibitionist supporting cast ... over-dominate or its jokes overrun their limits.

It is, though — flip, friendly, brisk and a wee bit cynical in its take-it-or-leave-it jauntiness", and concluded that, "The film is familiar and trifling, but it's perky.

US poster, emphasising Sean Connery and unknown woman, who does not feature in film