Julie, perché non vuoi?

This has got to be one of the most least reviewed films of the century. It deserves far more praise than it actually gets. The cast is excellently cast for the roles because they all look so convincing as criminals, especially Stanley Baxter as Brother Widdows. Definitely one of Leslie Phillips most finest films, definitely the one to watch for good old black and white comedy.

This is an old black and white comedy that has not had a high recognition factor tied to it. A basic comedy that is easy to follow, a delight for all ages. Very amusing in parts, especially of Leslie Phillips as Captain Pierrs Oban Forsdyke and Stanley Baxter in a memorable performance as Brother Widdows. Classic!

Crooks Anonymous is a film based on the notion that criminality is an addictive behavior like gambling or drinking and can be cured with the same methods. The organization Crooks Anonymous is founded by Wilfrid Hyde-White , but Leslie Phillips presents quite a challenge to the group.

Watching this film I thought I was could have been watching one of those films that critique and not too gently gay conversion therapy..

Julie Christie is in this film which was three years before her breakout Oscar performance in Darling. Nothing Oscar worthy here though.

It's a British comedy that wouldn't go over too well in America. Can you imagine the characters in a Martin Scorsese epic getting cured of their bad behavior in Crooks Anonymous?

It does have a few amusing moments.

Stripper Julie Christie tells Leslie Phillips it's over unless he reforms. He finds CROOKS ANONYMOUS is the organization to help him tread the straight and narrow. However, can they do the same under his influence?

The usual suspects show up, including Wilfred Hyde-White as the head of the reforming organization, James Robertson Justice as the obnoxious head of a department store on Christmas eve and Stanley Baxter as a Dwight Frye sort of master of disguise. Ken Annakin's comedy is rather brittle, but all the parts work.

The movie is Julie Christie's film debut, and the camera, under the supervision of Ernest Steward, clearly lusts for her. No matter where she is in the shot, it seems lit to feature her liberally visible body.... or perhaps it's just me. The early 1960s was a time when ogling but (barely) censor-compliant comedies seemed to be the only thing keeping the British film industry afloat. As the only young woman in sight, Miss Christie was the obvious choice for rubbernecking.Nonetheless, it's clear that the camera loves her.

Dandy Forsdyke (Leslie Phillips) is a career criminal who has no desire to work--just steal and lie his way through life. However, his girlfriend, Babette (Julie Christie), has no patience for his conduct even though she inexplicably loves him. So, she gives him an ultimatum- -either change and live a respectable and legal life or she's leaving him. Dandy is in a bind--he loves being a crook but loves the girl even more, so he vows to change. On his own, however, he hasn't a prayer of going straight so he enlists the help of a philanthropic organization-- Crooks Anonymous! C.A. is much like a drug or alcohol treatment program except that it treats thieves...but in the most unconventional way. I would say more about C.A.'s methods, but you just have to see them to appreciate them!

Later in the movie, Dandy has apparently changed--and certainly for the better. However, even with the help of C.A., what is Dandy to do when he's given the chance to do a nearly perfect crime with very little risk. After all, it drops right into his lap! Well, what happens next is also something you'll just need to see for yourself--and it's quite clever and funny.

I had a hard time deciding whether to score this o 7 or an 8--either way it's very original and quite cute. Well worth seeing.