Too Many Crooks

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!).

One of the better British farces of the late fifties, the plot of Mario Zampi's "Too Many Crooks" was later used for the Bette Midler vehicle "Ruthless People". The humour here is broad and decidedly British and is often laugh-out-loud funny. The cast comprises of some of the best British comedy actors of the time, (Terry-Thomas, George Cole, Bernard Bresslaw, Sidney James), as well as that wonderful character actress Brenda De Banzie as the kidnap victim whose husband, (the sublime Terry-Thomas), refuses to pay the ransom to get her back. What happens next may be predictable but thanks to Michael Pertwee's screenplay is also hugely enjoyable and on its own simple level, Zampi's direction is just about perfect.

Just watched this again and I am a bit bemused to say the least as to why this film is so overlooked in the catalogue of British comedies of the period, or any period. It is sensationally scripted for a start, this has to be one of the sharpest British screenplays of all time. It is as dark as any of the more celebrated Brit-coms, such as Ladykillers, but unlike that film it doesn't take itself so seriously, being directed and played as a light comedy, almost a theatrical farce. And it is possibly this lightness of touch that has left it sidelined against the others. Terry-Thomas is at his slimiest as the womanising miser who's amassed a fortune by avoiding the dreaded taxman, and George Cole is very nearly as good as the bungling self styled Mr. Big of a hapless criminal gang. The busy plot turns this way and that and has some really funny scenes in it, but the best thing about this film is in the cleverness of the screenplay and the subtle nuances of comedy that are handled very slickly by the cast of expert comedy character actors.

If you've never watched a British comedy film, watch this one - it has everything! A superb cast, an extremely silly plot and wonderfully stereotypical characters. The plot has pace and develops delightfully, if somewhat predictably, with some lovely little quirks along the way.

The matchless Terry-Thomas plays Billy Gordon, self made millionaire, serial philanderer, tightwad and general, all-around cheat. A gang of 'master criminals' played by mastermind George Cole, a very pithy Sid James and the incomparable Bernard Bresslaw set out to rob him by various means. Eventually, they kidnap his wife and from here on the comedy level just escalates madly.

If you like '60's British comedy, then you'll love this because it don't come much better!

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.