Too Many Crooks

This film popped up on TCM last week and I'm glad I caught it. I'm a fan of British comedies, from Ealing to Carry On, but this one had somehow escaped my radar. It's a delightful cast, and they make the most of scriptwriter Pertwee's gags (even the tired ones). There are little bits of plots from elsewhere, such as O Henry's RANSOM OF RED CHIEF (the unlovable kidnap victim) or the original LADYKILLERS (banknotes in the breeze). An upbeat, jazzy 50s score adds to the merriment, and George Cole is a stand-out for the many different characters he portrays throughout the film. Terry-Thomas, Bernard Bresslaw & Sid James, and Brenda De Banzie also deserve special mention. If you recall that Ms De Banzie played a very sinister villain just three years earlier in THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH, you'll appreciate her acting range. You might even want to watch twice so you don't miss some of the more subtle verbal gags.

For any fans of British comedy films of the 50's/60's, this is one of the best. It has a calvacade of British comic character actors, who all turn in well-honed performances, with the icing on the cake provided by Terry-Thomas, at the top of his form. His rapid fire delivery, clever mugging and sheer enthusiasm in the lead role is a joy to behold. I can't think of any other actor who could have carried off this characterisation half as well. The whole film simply bristles with that unique joie-de-vivre that was inherent in the very best of the British comedies at that time. An undoubted treat for all comedy-loving film buffs.

A mix of future Carry-On regulars (Sid James, Bernard Bresslaw, a moment of Terry Scott) and greats of the Ealing scene (Terry-Thomas, George Cole, John Le Mesurier) get down to some serious fun in this typically good British comedy. Crime is always the best setting for Ealing comedy and this one features all the necessary bits ? Thomas' cad-about-town, Cole's bungling would-be criminal mastermind, James' surly crook, even a bit part for a young Nicholas Parsons as Thomas' daughter's suspicious taxman fiance. As usual, our cast get themselves caught up in some shenanigans trying to rob Thomas of his dodgy cash and get themselves sorted in the end through a mix of ingenuity and outrageous fortune, stopping to pile on the laughs at regular intervals. I loved it, but then I'd be quite happy just watching Terry-Thomas grinning for two hours. Fun.

The look and feel - and the influence, no doubt - at the start of this crime-caper could easily have Bogart and Cagney concocting a devious plan, such is the lighting and sinister mood of this film, part of the Terry-Thomas Collection.

However, as soon as the Cor-Blimey's emanate from these London cockney's the illusion is shattered and we feel reassured that this is going to be a who-who of British acting talent, mostly being really rather funny, or stupid. The caper itself is a devilish affair, a sort of film-noir since Brenda de Banzie gets kidnapped but her millionaire wheeler-dealer hubby Terry Thomas refuses to pay up as he's glad to be rid of her!

She then sets out get her own back on him and steal the ransom for herself, by persuading the crooks holding her that they'll each receive a share. In some ways, the plot matters little; it's scenes such as the Courtroom, with the always great John Le Messieur as magistrate, totally unable to control his subjects and of course, Terry Thomas himself, who is the epitome of OTT, rather vulgar and haughty - and sneering, mustn't forget sneering - sort of braggart that we know him so well for.

Production values, from Italian director Mario Zampi are well up on any Carry On's and probably on-par with the best Ealings, but slicker, which oddly doesn't suit rough-and-tumble comedy that well. That said, a minor but enjoyable British comedy, which mainly remains wholly watchable through our fondness for its many so-familiar stars.

I definitely do not agree that this film is a bit of a let down (as another commenter suggested).

Although this is considered to be a "B-movie", it possibly contains Bernard Bresslaw's finest ever performance. He is absolutely brilliant as Snowdrop. Another class act is John Le Mesurier as the judge when Billy Gordon (Terry-Thomas) goes to court. On top of that you've got Sid James being one of his best known characters (i.e. the down at heel crook he played in Hancock's Half Hour on radio and TV and in the film Father Brown), George Cole as an early Arthur Daley, but a bit more on the wrong side of the law than Arfur ever was, and a supporting cast containing the likes of Nicholas Parsons (a great B-movie actor, unfortunately now better known as a game show host), Brenda de Banzie,Vera Day and Joe Melia. The plot was later used to provide the basis for the American film Ruthless People. As usual, a British B-movie shows incredible attention to detail (the "Keep Death Off The Road" gag and the van they finally arrive at St Albans with Gordon's kidnapped wife spring to mind). The scene where Gordon's wife returns is worth watching the rest of the film for, even if you aren't too keen on it (although I personally think this is one of the best films ever made, so I know I'm biased!).