 The success of the film version of "Up Pompeii" in 1971 saw British exhibitors vote him the ninth most popular star at the British box office that year.He would play versions of the character Lurkio in "Up the Chastity Belt" (Lurkalot), also in 1971, and "Up the Front" (Boot Boy Lurk) in 1972.In 1971 Howerd recorded, with June Whitfield, a comedy version of the song "Je t'aime", previously recorded by Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg, in which she featured as "Mavis" alongside Howerd's "Frank", and a third unexplained sleeping partner named "Arthur".