Not Now Darling (1973)

In the bustling world of London's fur industry sits the eccentric salon of Bodley, Bodley, and Crouch. Not Now Darling is a lively British farce that whirls through a storm of minks, mistresses, and mishaps. Gilbert Bodley, the crafty mastermind of the firm, hatches a risky plan to woo his mistress by selling an extravagant mink to a notorious mobster for a pittance. His motive? To win over the mobster's wife, who happens to be his secret lover, in a scheme he humorously dubs "closing the deal." Instead of getting his hands dirty, Gilbert ropes in his unsuspecting partner, Arnold Crouch, to weave through the dangerous web of his design. However, the plot thickens when the mobster decides to surprise his own mistress with the luxurious fur, throwing Gilbert's grand plan into disarray. What follows is a hilarious, high-tempo comedy of errors that spirals out of control faster than a mink can scamper. In the midst of the chaos, the arrival of Janie Carmichael's suspicious husband and Gilbert's prematurely returned wife only stoke the fires of misunderstanding. The madcap puzzle grows more complex with the meddling of Carmichael's secretary (who is also the husband's clandestine lover), a confounded assistant, and a couple who can't seem to cross paths. Gilbert finds himself spinning an intricate web of tales for each character, leading to a cascade of uproarious complications. With elements of mistaken identities, hidden scantily clad women, mobsters, jealous wives, and bewildered customers, Not Now Darling races along in a comedic frenzy reminiscent of the Marx Brothers and Noises Off. It's a rollicking romp through the world of fur and infidelity, proving that when it comes to love and business, timing is everything.

Not Now Darling is a comedy movie featuring Leslie Phillips and directed by David Croft.

Not Now Darling is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and it's also available on Fandor Amazon Channel.