Idle on Parade (Limited Edition, Region B)

 

 

(John Gilling, 1959, 88 mins)
Release date: 16 February 2026
Limited Edition Blu-ray (World premiere)

William Bendix (The Web), Anthony Newley (The Last Man to Hang), and Anne Aubrey (The Man Inside) star in Idle on Parade (released in the US as Idol on Parade), a musical comedy from director John Gilling (The Shadow of the Cat).

Singing sensation ‘Jeep’ Jackson (Newley) is called up to complete his national service, causing havoc for commanding officers Lush (Bendix) and Bassett (Lionel Jeffries, The Revenge of Frankenstein) as he tries to balance Army life and pop stardom.

Scripted by John Antrobus (Jazz Boat, The Bed-Sitting Room), Idle on Parade is a fascinating snapshot of the early rock ’n’ roll era from Warwick Films, the enterprising British film company established by Irving Allen and future James Bond producer Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli.

INDICATOR LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES

• High Definition remaster
  
• Original mono audio
  
• Audio commentary with writers Barry Forshaw and Kim Newman (2026)
  
• Neil Brand on ‘Idle on Parade’ (2026): in-depth appreciation of the film and its soundtrack by the composer and broadcaster
  
• Jack of What Trade? (1950): short dramatised film, produced by the Central Office of Information and directed by Margaret Thomson, featuring a teenage Anthony Newley
  
• Original theatrical trailer
  
• Image gallery: promotional and publicity material
  
• New English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  
• Limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by David Cottis, a collection of archival articles on Anthony Newley, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and film credits
  
• World premiere on Blu-ray
  
• Limited edition of 3,000 copies for the UK

All features subject to change