Only When I Larf

If there's any movie that's disappeared, remains totally forgotten and rarely shown on TV, it's this movie. It's interesting how some movies vanish without a trace. The title implies a Carry On, Norman Wisdom, Frankie Howerd style of comedy but it's nothing of the sort.

It's a well-made, carefree caper film with a youthful and dashing David Hemming and an icy, impossibly beautiful Alexandra Stewart teamed with Richard Attenborough. Hammer Films fans will appreciate seeing Melissa Stribling, the Count's almost-bride from Horror of Dracula, and wife of Basil Dearden, director of this picture written by Len Deighton (The Ipcress File).

A poor title for what turns out to be a rather uninspiring film. A good, brisk and smartly-directed pre-title segment sets the scene - here we have a group of smart grifters conning greedy or immoral 'marks' out of hefty chunks of cash and living very nicely off the proceeds. As far as an over-arching story goes, things are pretty thin and we only see it at the very end, after a rather episodic series of cons. Attenborough is good, Hemmings is cheeky but not very likeable and Stewart is attractive and supplies the final twist. There's nothing much else to say about it.

This is a glossy tongue-in-cheek tale of two conmen and their girlfriend accomplice constantly trying to keep one step a head of the game with mixed success.

A love-triangle develops as the young protege tries to take over from his old mentor and to steal his girlfriend to boot. Needless to say, their feuding only complicates things and leads to a good twist at the end.

The good-natured direction is upbeat and enthusiastic, the acting is accomplished right down to the supporting cast and the theme tune by Ron Grainer is catchy and interspersed by pleasant incidental scores. This movie is well worth viewing should you be lucky enough to find it on tv one afternoon.

A very slick, glossy and well-paced opening got my attention. The accompanying whistling score was unique and enjoyable, and added to the feel of a professional, military-like operation. Fifteen minutes in, I was transfixed and had high expectations. Sadly, the story quickly falls apart. The cool and efficient team, gone; in its place, incompetence and betrayal, leading to an unsatisfactory second and third act, which were mostly pointless and predictable. It was almost a film in reverse.

Great locations, well shot, good performances, very much of its time. Thematically, I couldn't help think this may have been the inspiration for the 2004-2012 BBC series, Hustle, which had a similar concept (wise veteran, cool younger man, glamorous woman, who con greedy and unpleasant marks). Overall, worth a watch. With a better script, it could have been a classic.

Richard Attenborough, David Hemmings and Alexandra Stewart are three con-men in this enjoyable late 60's comedy/drama. The plot is episodic: There's a great pre-credit con in New York and a couple of other cons which aren't related, but the core of the story is the relationship between the three.

Attenborough and Hemmings work well together; the old, seasoned pro and the young pretender who come from different backgrounds but who clash not only about life, politics and who's got the better ideas, but over Stewart who is very attractive, sexy and alluring (and who has plans of her own).

The direction is taut, the dialogue sparkles with little gems, the look is very glossy for its time and the acting is top notch. Like a lot of 60's caper films, it's great fun to watch.