Omicidio al green hotel

This is a rather enjoyable little early British comedy. Amazing to see how actually little British comedy changed over the decades. This movie is in the same trend as for instance the Pink Panther movies (although obviously less brilliant) and gives a fun take on the murder-mystery genre. A genre director George Pollock knew really well since he directed many Agatha Christie novel movies, including the four earliest Miss Jane Marple movies, starring Margaret Rutherford.

The movie is nothing too fancy and its kept very simple, with its story and characters. It's also obviously fairly low-budget all. But lets face it, the murder-mystery movies from the '60's themselves also weren't that much special in terms of originality and re-playability. In that regard this movie is a fitting one, that takes on all the typical genre clichés, without ever really becoming original on itself, though the movie does a good job at keeping it a secret who the killer is, right till the end.

The setting of the movie is a comical fun one; a health clinic but its potential isn't used to the max in this movie. There are too few references reminding us of the fact that this movie is set in a health clinic. I mean were are the mud-baths, the face-masks, cold-water baths, disgusting food, etcetera. I remember a "Dalziel and Pascoe" episode that used this in a far more effective comical way and "Dalziel and Pascoe" isn't even a comedy-series but a serious' English detective-series. So I felt that it was a bit of a missed opportunity, to make the movie effectively more fun and comical-like.

The actors aren't much special but they known how to handle the comedy-genre well. It also provides the movie with some fun comical characters, without overly trying to be funny. Such as Det. Insp. Hook (Lionel Jeffries) but also the main character played by Terry-Thomas is a good and fun one, that knows to carry the movie effectively.

A good fun movie. I mean, there basically is no way you wont enjoy watching this movie.

6/10

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Typical silly comedy vehicle for Terry-Thomas/Sykes/Jeffries to show their comedic talents. Even though I last saw it 30+ years ago I still remember it had me in stitches. A shame it is no longer available for viewing either on TV or on VHS/DVD as it was a good example of British comedy in the late 50's early 60's period.

"Kill or Cure" is a humorous British comedy mystery that has Terry-Thomas and Eric Sykes sleuthing one another. It all starts when private detective, Capt. J. Barker Rynde (Thomas) gets a call from a society dowager, Mrs. Margaret Clifford. She wants him to look into some strange goings-on at the exclusive place she is staying. It's the Green Glades health hotel, and Captain Rynde is to check in there as a guest. She will contact him after he arrives. But after he does and gets the first note, Mrs. Clifford is then found dead. That's one strike against the health hotel's slogan, "We help nature help you."

So, Rynde must investigate, but he also has to go through the physical routine of exercise, body detoxing, special diet, training, etc. That the hotel has. Naturally, this all goes against his lifestyle and tastes, but what can he do but stay under cover to solve the crime? His personal consultant and overseer is Mr. Rumbelow (Sykes), who also is his nemesis and partner in some of the comedy. Well, when a 10,000 pound reward is offered for a clue that leads to apprehending the killer, Sykes wants to start investigating himself. He doesn't know that Rynde is a detective on the case and suspects him for his prowling around. And Rynde sees Rumbelow's behavior and suspect him.

Enter Lionel Jeffries as Detective Inspector Hook, and the recipe for a first-rate comedy is complete. Some others contribute to it as well - Dennis Price as Dr. Julian Crossley, and Ronnie Barker as Inspector Hook's assistant. The film begins with some humorous dialog, but after that it is mostly in antics and the health treatments that Rynde goes through. Toward the end, the humor picks up again when Rynde and Rumbelow join forces to solve the crime and Inspector Hook takes the brunt of some of their miscues.

Rynde's accommodations are hilarious - he's put in a one-room open-air hut with a folding wall that regulations allow him to close only at night. This isn't among the top comedies for Thomas, Sykes or any others. But, it's still funny and entertaining, with a very good twist at the end.

Here are some favorite lines form this British MGM film.

J. Barker Rynde, on seeing hotel guests lounging in bath robes and night clothes when checking in, "Very informal atmosphere you have here." Johnson, Green Glades desk clerk, "Oh, we don't stand on ceremony here."

Frances Roitman, when J. Barker Rynde orders the same drink as hers from the bartender, "Were you expecting something a little more palatable?" Rynde, "Why, yes. Why, I mean .." Miss Roitman, "It's awful, isn't it? I'm afraid this is one health clinic that doesn't pull its punches."

Miss Roitman, "I don't think he quite knows what he's got himself in for." Bartender, "They never do, miss."

Rumbelow, "Your age?" Rynde, "My age?" Rumbelow, "Oh, come on. We're not going to be feminine about this, are we?" Rynde, "Oh, well, bound down 32." Rumbelow, "Well, that disposes of your age, or some of it."

Rumbelow, "Profession?" Rynde, "Um, bird watcher." Rumbelow, "Really?"

Rumbelow, "Married?" Rynde, "No." Rumbelow, "Why not?" Rynde, "Did you marry?" Rumbelow, "No." Rynde, "Why not?"

Rumbelow, "Mr. Rynde, I'm asking the questions. Are you single by choice?" Rynde, "Oh, indubitably. My profession has somewhat prejudiced me against wedding bells." Rumbelow, writing on the form, "A misogynistic ornithologist." Rynde, "Whaaat?"

Rumbelow, "Put out your tongue." Rynde, "Huh?" Rumbelow, "Tongue... oooh, nasty! Eyes? Tch, tch, tch. Good heavens, I don't know how you can see out of them."

Rynde, when Rumbelow twists his head, "Aaaah!" Rumbelow, "You got as much stiffness as rigor mortis. You've come to us just in time, Mr. Rynde. We ae the handmaidens of mother nature. We'll soon have you in working order. I'll put you down for the lot, I think."

Rumbelow, "Don't look so alarmed, Mr. Rynde. We've had worse cases and pulled 'em through. We are going to take your poor abused body and wring it out and start all over again." "Rynde, "You're not, you know." Rumbelow, "Mr. Rynde..." Rynde, "Captain, and I like my body the way it is."

Rumbelow, "That's better. A moment of panic on the brink, as it were. We get that."

Rumbelow, "I've got you down on my form as a misogynist." Rynde mumbles and says, "What is that?" Rumbelow, "You hate women." Rynde, "Well, I hate getting up in the morning, but I'm not bed-ridden."

Rita, Green Glades nurse, "Listen, you take one step nearer and I'll do gardening in that gap of yours."

Inspector Hook, "Used to call this the gallows oak, you know. Used it for hangings." Frances Roitman, "Uh, no, I didn't know." Hook, "Yeah, good old days."

Rynde, "I'm a duck. A sitting duck."

British comedy by the director best known for the four Miss Maple movies starring Margaret Rutherford. Terry Thomas is a clumsy detective who's been called to a health club to investigate the strange things going on. When he gets there he finds it be very difficult handling all the clues he thinks point him in the right direction. Police Inspector Lionel Jeffries regards Thomas as being the strange thing going on. Lovely Movie.

"Kill or Cure" is a nice little British comedy from the 60s. Terry Thomas stars as a (sort of bumbling) private detective, and tries to solve a mysterious murder at a health clinic for a £2000 reward. It gets the job done as a comedy, as most of the jokes hit. The idea for it is good, and though The screenplay isn't amazing, it's still good nonetheless. It has a few other British stars, and each of the cast members act their roles well. It also works well as a mystery, and plays out as a good murder mystery film. Overall, it's a nice, lighthearted comedy. Personally, I liked it and recommend it. 6/10.