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Clip description
After a knock on the head, Tommy (George Wallace) wakes up as the heir to the throne of Betonia, a kingdom somewhere in Europe. He refuses to meet his ministers until the court officials find his best mate, Jim (John Dobbie), whom he knights. The senior official Alfam (Marshall Crosby) then introduces the Prime Minister (Clem Milton), a very old man. Tommy decides to give him a new job.
Curator’s notes
Every gesture, every nuance, of Wallace’s performance is calculated for maximum comedy. The clothes accentuate his build, the throne accentuates his short legs. He does double-takes, tipsy rocking on his feet, small pats with his hands on Alfam’s chest and constant business with his eyes. His dialogue often lags behind his attention, which flits ahead, like a child mesmerised by something bright. Wallace’s characters are sometimes barely conscious, but he can also react quickly when the need arises (as in his decision to knight Jim instantly).
