Not Now, Comrade (1976) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A household's attempt to hide Rudi spirals into a farcical chain of mistaken identities, evasions, and unresolved danger.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Visit Disrupted

Rudi's chaotic opening incident precedes the household's preparations for Gerry's weekend visit. The Commander's fishing plans are interrupted when a puncture sends him back home.

Key Events

• Rudi Dodges the Yellow Car — During a frantic photographic session, Rudi narrowly avoids a yellow car and causes confusion. Characters: Rudi Petrovyan Location: Street
• Gerry's Weekend Visit — Nancy tells the Commander that she expects Gerry for the weekend; he objects because he planned to go fishing. Characters: Commander Rimmington, Nancy Rimmington Location: Rimmington home
• The Puncture Sends Him Back — A puncture forces the Commander to return to the house. Characters: Commander Rimmington Location: Road and Rimmington home

The Hidden Visitor

Rudi is concealed inside the house after escaping Russian security guards. Nancy and the others try to keep him out of sight while Russian officials wait outside.

Key Events

• Rudi Hidden Indoors — Rudi is concealed inside the house while Nancy and others try to keep him from being discovered. Characters: Rudi Petrovyan, Nancy Rimmington Location: Rimmington home
• Escape from Russian Guards — Rudi's story is that he escaped the Russian security guards to watch the dancer he loves. Characters: Rudi Petrovyan Location: Hotel vicinity
• Officials Wait Outside — Russian embassy officials wait outside as Nancy and the others try to conceal Rudi. Characters: Rudi Petrovyan, Nancy Rimmington, 1st Russian Official, 2nd Russian Official Location: Rimmington home

Gerry Drawn In

Gerry arrives and is asked to pretend that nobody is home. The household hides people behind bolted doors and keeps inventing explanations as the confusion grows.

Key Events

• Gerry Joins the Deception — Gerry arrives and is urged to pretend that nobody is at home. Characters: Gerry Buss, Nancy Rimmington Location: Rimmington home
• Doors Bolted and Stories Improvised — The household hides people in different rooms, bolts doors, and improvises explanations. Characters: Commander Rimmington, Nancy Rimmington, Gerry Buss, Rudi Petrovyan Location: Rimmington home
• Urgent Coded Message — An MI6 officer arrives to deliver an urgent coded message to the Commander. Characters: Commander Rimmington Location: Rimmington home

Messages and Misunderstandings

An MI6 officer brings the Commander an urgent coded message, but identities are mistaken amid the household's deception. A telephone call in apparent Russian adds to the alarm.

Key Events

• Mistaken Identities — The confusion causes people to mistake the MI6 officer's identity. Characters: Commander Rimmington, Nancy Rimmington, Gerry Buss Location: Rimmington home
• An Alarming Russian Call — A telephone call in apparent Russian alarms the household, which tries to dismiss the sounds. Characters: Nancy Rimmington, Gerry Buss, Rudi Petrovyan Location: Rimmington home

Pulford at the Cottage

Constable Pulford arrives to investigate reports and question the gardener, while the household obstructs him. Hoskins's absence raises fears, and people are shifted between rooms to protect the deception.

Key Events

• Pulford Investigates — Pulford investigates reports of an effeminate young man and wants to question the gardener. Characters: Constable Pulford, Nancy Rimmington, Hoskins Location: Hoskins's cottage
• The Gardener Is Missing — Hoskins cannot be found, prompting fears that he may be helping Rudi or may have been harmed. Characters: Hoskins, Nancy Rimmington Location: Rimmington home
• People Shift Between Rooms — The household keeps moving people between rooms to prevent outsiders from discovering the truth. Characters: Commander Rimmington, Nancy Rimmington, Gerry Buss, Constable Pulford, Rudi Petrovyan Location: Rimmington home
• Hoskins Reappears — Hoskins emerges after apparently falling from a bedroom window; Rudi's fate remains unresolved. Characters: Hoskins Location: Bedroom window

Story Breakdown

• Chaotic Opening — Rudi's street encounter and the Commander's disrupted plans establish the comedy of confusion.
  • Yellow Car — Rudi narrowly avoids a yellow car during a frantic photographic session.
  • Fishing Plans — The Commander objects to Gerry's visit, then a puncture forces him home.
• Rudi in Hiding — Rudi is concealed in the house while the threat of discovery grows.
  • Russian Escape — Rudi says he escaped Russian security guards to watch the dancer he loves.
  • Officials Outside — Russian embassy officials wait outside as the household hides him.
• Gerry Joins In — Gerry is pulled into the effort to keep outsiders from discovering who is inside.
  • False Empty House — Gerry is urged to pretend that nobody is at home.
  • Bolted Doors — People are hidden in rooms while the household improvises explanations.
• Coded Message Confusion — An official message adds another source of confusion to the household's deception.
  • Urgent Delivery — An MI6 officer arrives with a coded message for the Commander.
  • Mistaken Identity — The confusion leads the household to treat the officer as someone else.
• Pulford's Inquiry — The constable's investigation increases the pressure on those concealing Rudi.
  • Cottage Reports — Pulford investigates reports of an effeminate young man seen prancing outside the cottage.
  • Gardener Missing — Pulford wants to question the gardener, but Hoskins cannot be found.
• Unresolved Exit — The household's concealment continues, and the available events stop short of resolving Rudi's fate.
  • Room Shuffling — People are moved between rooms to keep the constable, Commander, and officials from discovering the truth.
  • Hoskins Returns — Hoskins emerges after apparently falling from a bedroom window, while Rudi's fate remains unresolved.

Directed by

Harold Snoad, Ray Cooney

Key Cast

• Leslie Phillips — Commander Rimmington
• Roy Kinnear — Hoskins
• Windsor Davies — Constable Pulford
• Don Estelle — Bobby Hargreaves
• Michele Dotrice — Nancy Rimmington