Make Mine a Million – 1959 | 81 mins | Comedy | B&W

Plot Synopsis

Arthur Askey, Sid James, Kenneth Connor and Bernard Cribbins are just four of the big name British comedy talents topping the bill in this enjoyable satire of advertising on commercial and national television.

Sid (Sid James), a Bonko detergent salesman decides what he really needs is TV advertising to launch his revolutionary new soap powder. The problem is he’s absolutely broke. Enter BBC makeup artist Arthur (Arthur Askey) who Sid initially mistakes for a television executive. Arthur arranges to sneak a plug for Sid’s product during a live TV broadcast on national television – a station that doesn’t permit the broadcast of adverts. The stunt causes uproar in the corridors of power at the BBC and after an internal manhunt Arthur is hauled before the board of directors and fired.

Sid and Arthur’s outrageous pirate tv exploits bring them to the attention of advertisers for Slap Happy Cake Mix, who offer the pair a healthy sum of money to continue interrupting BBC outside broadcasts including Ascot races and the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Due to the daring interruptions Arthur becomes an anti-hero figure loved by the public, but he’s a wanted man and the police are hot on his trail.