HERMAN ACTS
HERMAN, who arrived back in London on Tuesday night after his five-week U.S. tour, is to have a major acting role in "The Canterville Ghost," a play which will be networked coast-to-coast on American TV on November 2. |
 SEVERAL months ago Herman told me that he hoped his film "Hold On," which was then doing great business in America, would not be released in Britain. He explained that he did not think it was suitable for the public here. But I'm sure he is wrong. "Hold On" is a lively, colourful, meaningless, slightly amusing film. Certainly the story line is pathetically weak, the situations corny and the dialogue is simply ridiculous. I can imagine how Herman must have squirmed when, in a scene with Shelley Fabares, he had to say in a soft dreamy voice that well-worn line: "This has been the happiest day of my life." But for a pop group starring in its first major film Herman's Hermits did amazingly well. The story tells how American teenagers vote to name the next U.S. space ship after Herman's Hermits, an English pop group, which has become a world-wide success. To make sure the group is worthy of such recognition, a dithering scientist is assigned to follow the Hermits on their tour. From there, the film is virtually a record of what happens to Herman's Hermits during their American tours. They are seen in TV studios, in hotel rooms, at garden parties and the film closes with them giving a concert to 35,000 fans at Pasadena Rose Bowl. There are amusing scenes where Herman's imagination takes the group into a space ship - where he sings "Leaning On A Lamppost" ten miles above earth. He also appears as a knight in shining armour singing "George And The Dragon." Other numbers in the film include "Where Were You When I Needed You," "Got A Feeling," "A Must To Avoid" and the title song, "Hold On." Despite the film's faults, Herman - billed as Peter Blair Noone - made a good job of it. In fact, I'm sure its release here will do him more good than harm. |