Tony Blake (Adam Faith) is a struggling author. He has written a book about the famed Loch Ness Monster but can’t find a publisher willing to publish it. According to the latest rejection, the publishing company believes that since the monster hasn’t been seen in years, no one will be interested in reading it. Tony lives in an apartment building that houses several artists. When they receive an eviction notice, the gang living at the apartment house needs to find a way to come up with some money.
Charlotte “Charlie” Pinner (Carole Lesley) suggests that they write to the newspapers and tell them that they’ve seen the monster in order to get some renewed interest in the creature. Tony expands on the notion and comes up with the idea of faking Nessie and photographing it. Tony and his friend, Vernon (Terence Longdon) create a makeshift Nessie and set it loose in the Serpentine River in London. A couple smoke bombs make the river look like mist on a lake. The guys are happy with the picture.
To further the illusion Tony, Vernon and Charlie head to Loch Ness to finish the illusion. On the way they pick up Marie (Marie France), a young woman hitchhiking to Scotland on holiday. Charlie sends a wire to her parents (Freddie Frinton and Fabia Drake). Charlie’s message is confusing, and Mr. and Mrs. Pinner think that Charlie and Vernon are eloping. They are determined to stop the marriage and try to catch up with the couple. Mrs. Pinner gets left behind, and Mr. Pinner drives drunk all the way to Scotland.
At Loch Ness Tony and Vernon begin setting up a loudspeaker and transmit what they believe the Loch Ness Monster should sound like, over the countryside. The next day the local pub is thronged with locals and reporters wanting to be part of the action. Things get a little messed up when Tony can’t produce the photograph, so the guys try to recreate their monster on the lake itself. It seems though, that they are not the only ones with the same idea.
“What a Whopper” was released in 1961 and was directed by Gilbert Gunn. It is a British comedy fantasy movie.
The lead of the film, Adam Faith, was a British singer in the 60’s. The song on the radio, “The Time Has Come” was actually sung by Adam and was mocked by Adam’s character Tony. Adam also sang the title song “What a Whopper”.
I’m not sure who the movie demographics are aimed at since the star is a pop singer and most of the main cast represent young free spirits, but the comedy seems to be more aimed at fans of farce comedy. The movie is mostly farfetched and childish. It does include some tried and true character actors to round out the list. It’s not great cinema but it is harmless and somewhat silly. The film is 60’s style comedy, which means a bunch of sexism and drunk humor among the slapstick and running jokes. It is definitely not PC today, but family friendly for 1961.