Ask a Policeman (1939): Cast & Plot
Ask a Policeman is a 1939 comedy directed by Marcel Varnel, starring Will Hay as Sergt. Dudfoot, Graham Moffatt and Moore Marriott. It runs 1 hour 23 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 23m (83 min)
- Director
- Marcel Varnel
- Genre
- Comedy
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Gainsborough Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Ask a Policeman About?
The premise of Ask a Policeman without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Police‑Sergeant Samuel Dudfoot and his two constables, Albert Brown and Jeremias Harbottle, launch a comically staged crime‑wave to protect their positions, only to have their contrived scheme collapse when a genuine criminal enterprise emerges, dragging the trio into a real investigation.
Ask a Policeman Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- postal worker
- 20th century
- europe
- 1930s
- british comedy
- british crime
- european comedy
- bumbling detective mystery
- european crime
- constable
- police sergeant
- village
+38 more Show fewer
- arrest
- dover england
- motorcycle
- london england
- uncle nephew relationship
- improvisation
- husband wife relationship
- wireless telegraphy
- wireless signal
- watchtower
- uniform
- transfer
- telegram
- studio
- storekeeper
- stopwatch
- staff
- squire
- slang
- singing
- script
- scotland yard
- robber
- robbery
- reward
- retirement
- record
- radio
- radio program
- radio broadcast
- radio announcer
- property rights
- postcard
- politics
- politician
- police station
- police officer
- police car
Ask a Policeman Cast & Characters
Will Hay leads the cast as Sergt. Dudfoot, with Graham Moffatt as Albert and Moore Marriott as Harbottle. Directed by Marcel Varnel; 13 actors are credited in all.
- Director Marcel Varnel
- Will Hay as Sergt. Dudfoot
- Graham Moffatt as Albert
- Moore Marriott as Harbottle
- Peter Gawthorne as Chief Constable
Also Starring in Ask a Policeman
· 9 more- Herbert Lomas Coastguard
- Glennis Lorimer Emily
- Desmond Llewelyn Headless Coachman
- Cyril Chamberlain Radio Announcer
- Brian Worth Broadcasting Engineer
- Patrick Aherne Motorist
- Noel Dainton Revenue Officer
- Charles Oliver The Squire
- Dave O'Toole Witness
More from Marcel Varnel
More films directed by Marcel Varnel: George in Civvy Street, I Didn’t Do It, He Snoops to Conquer and Bell-Bottom George.
Ask a Policeman Plot Summary
What happens in Ask a Policeman from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
On a radio broadcast from Turnbotham Round, Will Hay as Sergeant Dudfoot sits down to share memories of life on the force, and the mood is light, almost nostalgic, until his two underlings burst in: Graham Moffatt as Albert and Moore Marriott as Harbottle, fresh from poaching, and determined to seize the moment by sabotaging the program. What begins as a simple, humorous reminiscence quickly spirals into a comic scramble as the station is hijacked by chaos, the duo’s clumsy enthusiasm leaving the airwaves littered with broken interruptions and half-formed plans. Dudfoot keeps talking, trying to regain control, while Albert and Harbottle fumble through a clumsy act that only proves they’re more trouble than help.
Full summary
The whole story of Ask a Policeman, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Ask a Policeman?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays Sergeant Dudfoot in the film?
Cars in Ask a Policeman
11 cars on screen, including the 1931 AEC Mammoth and the 1932 AEC Renown LT.
-
1931 AEC Mammoth Main role -
1932 AEC Renown LT Important role -
1931 Ford Model AAF Important role -
1935 Humber 16/60 Important role
Seen Ask a Policeman?
Movies Like Ask a Policeman
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Police, Police and The Policeman.
Ask a Policeman FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Ask a Policeman, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Ask a Policeman?
Ask a Policeman runs 1 hour 23 minutes (83 minutes).
When was Ask a Policeman released?
Ask a Policeman was released on April 29, 1939.
Who directed Ask a Policeman?
Ask a Policeman was directed by Marcel Varnel.
More films by Marcel Varnel Who is in the cast of Ask a Policeman?
Ask a Policeman stars Will Hay as Sergt. Dudfoot, Graham Moffatt as Albert and Moore Marriott as Harbottle, among 13 credited actors.
Does Ask a Policeman have a post-credit scene?
No. Ask a Policeman has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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