Critic Shelf
Home
Discover
Sign in
Your rating
Tap a star, half steps count

Old Bones of the River

Dec 1, 1938 · 1h 30m
No ratings yet
Comedy

PLOT

Hay plays Professor Benjamin Tibbetts, representative of the Teaching & Welfare Institution for the Reformation of Pagans (otherwise known as T.W.I.R.P for short), and dedicated to spreading education amongst the natives of colonial Africa. As he arrives (still trying to learn the native language via recordings), Professor Tibbetts is tricked into sneaking a gin still into the country by a local prince. Later, Tibbetts makes his way to Kombooli High, where his students wear Eton collars alongside their native garb and Tibbetts finds himself sporting a mortarboard and safari shorts due to the heat. When the Commissioner falls ill with a dose of malaria, Tibbetts is forced to take over his duties, which include collecting the taxes. Upriver, he finds an old paddlesteamer operated by Harbottle (Moore Marriott) and Albert (Graham Moffatt) and the threesome rescue a baby from death by sacrifice.

REVIEWS

View reviews

CAST

Will Hay
Prof. Benjamin Tibbetts
Moore Marriott
Jerry Harbottle
Graham Moffatt
Albert Brown
Directed by Marcel Varnel

DETAILS

Status
Released
Original language
EN
Budget
—
Revenue
—
Production
Gainsborough Pictures
Country
GB
Critic Shelf
Rate what you watch, show it on shelves, and compare taste with anyone. Film and TV data from TMDB.
ACCOUNT
Sign in
Create account
Delete account
COMPANY
About
Contact
Privacy
Terms
This product uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.
© 2026 Critic Shelf
WATCH · RATE · COMPARE