Although Hammer films is closely associated with the horror genre, the studio did produce other features, such as the crime drama Hell is a city and the wonderful comedy A Weekend with Lulu. The film stars Leslie Philips as a young man who wants to take his girlfriend (Shirley Eaton) to the seashore in a borrowed caravan. His friend Fred (Bob Monkhouse)is going to take them there, but in true comic fashion things don't go as planned and the group ends up stranded in France. Getting back to England is going to be difficult with no money and no petrol and these plot complications lead to one mishap after another. A fine comic cast, brisk pacing and a sweet natured approach to comedy that the British did so well in the 1950s and 60s make A Weekend with Lulu a very pleasant way to spend 90 minutes.

Nothing funnier than four Brits (two blokes, a bird, and a matron) heading off for a weekend in the English countryside and mistakenly ending up in France, a country which they manage to turn on its head during the Tour de France. The ad executive and his fiancé hoped for a quiet weekend at the seashore in Lulu the caravan (that's a camper for the American reader), towed by his unscrupulous friend driving an ice cream truck (he has 200 wt of ice cream he hopes to sell down at the shore for some side money). Of course, the future mum-in-law invites herself along and her stodginess provides some of the best comedic moments.

Very well crafted film and still funny after all these years. Great cast including Sid James in a small role. Many other faces you'll recognize from the Carry On films, as well.

Shown on TCM on American cable television.

Produced by Britain's Hammer House of Horror, A Weekend With Lulu is a surprisingly good comedy that manages to be a bit edgy whilst remaining entirely family friendly. Bob Monkhouse plays cheeky chappy Fred Scrutton, an ice cream salesman who ends up chauffeuring his friend Tim (avuncular straight man Leslie Phillips) and his sexy fiancée Deirdre (beautious Shirley Eaton). Unfortunately for the love struck couple, Deirdre's Mum Flo (Irene Handl) invites herself and her pet dog along for the ride, which takes a shortcut on a B road that leads to a train trip to France. Once on the continent, Ted Lloyd's screenplay has a field day poking fun at the French, who are personified by a randy count (Alfred Marks) and buffoonish policemen. All the leads are very good, especially Handl, and Ken Hodges' cinematography is far better than a second feature deserves. All in all, a wonderful and nostalgic comedy that will leave you smiling if not laughing.