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Les marrants terribles

Original title: Top of the Form
  • 1953
  • 1h 12m
IMDb RATING
5.5/10
52
YOUR RATING
Les marrants terribles (1953)
Comedy

Some trouble with gambling forces con man Fortescue to hide out in a boys' school, posing as a professor. When the undisciplined and lazy boys have to pass a few tests, cheating becomes the ... Read allSome trouble with gambling forces con man Fortescue to hide out in a boys' school, posing as a professor. When the undisciplined and lazy boys have to pass a few tests, cheating becomes the only option.Some trouble with gambling forces con man Fortescue to hide out in a boys' school, posing as a professor. When the undisciplined and lazy boys have to pass a few tests, cheating becomes the only option.

  • Director
    • John Paddy Carstairs
  • Writers
    • Leslie Arliss
    • John Paddy Carstairs
    • Sid Colin
  • Stars
    • Ronald Shiner
    • Harry Fowler
    • Anthony Newley
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.5/10
    52
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John Paddy Carstairs
    • Writers
      • Leslie Arliss
      • John Paddy Carstairs
      • Sid Colin
    • Stars
      • Ronald Shiner
      • Harry Fowler
      • Anthony Newley
    • 7User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos1

    View Poster

    Top cast43

    Edit
    Ronald Shiner
    Ronald Shiner
    • 'Professor' Fortescue
    Harry Fowler
    Harry Fowler
    • Albert
    Anthony Newley
    Anthony Newley
    • Percy
    Alfie Bass
    Alfie Bass
    • Artie Jones
    Mary Jerrold
    Mary Jerrold
    • Mrs. Bagshot
    Howard Marion-Crawford
    Howard Marion-Crawford
    • Dickson
    Richard Wattis
    Richard Wattis
    • Willoughby-Gore
    Gerald Campion
    • Pugley
    Jacqueline Pierreux
    Jacqueline Pierreux
    • Ivette
    Roland Curram
    Roland Curram
    • Terence
    Terence Mitchell
    • Clarence
    Oscar Quitak
    • Septimus
    Kynaston Reeves
    • The Dean
    Martin Benson
    Martin Benson
    • Cliquot
    Danny Green
    Danny Green
    • Bookies thug
    Melvyn Hayes
    Melvyn Hayes
    • Schoolboy with glasses
    Ronan O'Casey
    Ronan O'Casey
    • Brother of boy
    Jim Brady
    Jim Brady
    • Man Reading Magazine In Barbers Shop
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • John Paddy Carstairs
    • Writers
      • Leslie Arliss
      • John Paddy Carstairs
      • Sid Colin
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews7

    5.552
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    Featured reviews

    6JohnHowardReid

    Noisy but not naughty farce!

    This extremely noisy and thoroughly predictable farce's limited quota of genuine humor is further undermined by director Paddy Carstairs. Not only does Carstairs handle the action in his usual ill-timed, ham-fisted manner, but he has seen fit to indulge his egotistical star with numerous close-ups. The film often resembles a television "comedy", an impression re-enforced by the script's seemingly endless parade of tediously-paced, elemental slapstick.

    Fortunately, the obvious enthusiasm of the players (including Mr Shiner) does manage to overcome some of the inertia produced by both script and direction, although disappointingly, the lovely French star, Jacqueline Pierreux, has only a very small part.

    Production values rate as modest and behind-the-camera credits rise no higher than steadfastly routine.
    fsmith@bigpond.net.au

    Nostalgic look at 1950's

    I watched the movie late the other night and it tugged the nostalgia strings. Yes Anthony Newley was a joy to watch as was a very very young Ronnie Corbett. Harry Fowler (later in the Army Game on TV) had a big part. Cant help but think he looks a lot like Robbie Fowler the footballer. Is that just a coincidence? Can anyone help? And what about sad old Alfie Bass also to star in the Army Game in 1960/61. What a face. I think they did a spin off later called Bootsie and Snudge (with Ronnie Fraser also from the Army Game.) Sadly it is all going to be forgotten. Its a fine example of English comedy before the influence of Monty Python when life was still so innocent and the Goons and Around The Horne were still on the Radio and Tony Hancock was making everyone laugh. Regards, Frank.
    4malcolmgsw

    Rotten Remake

    I have to confess that back in the fifties Ronnie Shiner was one of my favourites.Looking at this film I can but wonder why.He really is far too broad a comedian for the screen.He lacks all subtlety.Furthermore it doesn't help if you have previously watched Good Morning Boys as you will know how well a great comedian,Will Hay,was able to transform the material into a very funny farce.There are many familiar actors in their twenties and thirties acting as schoolboys as was the case with the original film.There is only one genuinely funny moment in the film.Shiner goes into a cinema and sees himself on screen as a cowboy and does a double take.By the way this film was shown at least 5 years before Beyond Our Ken started on radio.Now that was funny..
    8calvertfan

    Oddball English comedy

    Quite a funny film at times, though maybe it's just so silly that it becomes funny. The first bit that will have you laughing is when Fortescue, who has a nose like Arthur Treacher, but isn't *actually* Arthur Treacher, escapes from the men chasing him by climbing over a wall, and landing in a Professor's garden party type of thing. The bonus? He's dressed like a professor himself, so the other men have an interesting time trying to find him. Fortescue manages to bluff that he's a Professor from an Australian university, and what do you know - ends up with a job as a teacher. The boys run him through the mill as good as they would any new teacher, until finally the board of education cottons on that none of them seem to be learning anything, and tells them they have to sit for some exams and pass with flying colours, or the school may be closed down. Some quick thinking - and cheating - ends up winning the young scholars a trip to France, and this is where the fun really begins, as one of the boy's brother has recently escaped from jail and wants to steal a necklace which just happens to be in the Paris museum...

    It may sound stupid, but trust me, it's funny. And young Anthony Newley is a treat to watch as a cheeky school boy!
    5boblipton

    I'm Not A Fan Of Shiner

    Midway swindler Ronald Shiner has to go on the run and lands at a public school which is going under. Being rather free with his methodology, his boys cheat their way into a trip to France, which sets up the finale

    The reliable John Paddy Carstairs does what he can with this Will Hay formula, with Shiner at his loudest and most obnoxious in the lead. It winds up, as you might expect, in a series of mini-skits that are put together adequately and shot and edited frenetically. I'm not a fan of Shiner but his old-fashioned elbow-to-the-rib fast talker has its fans. With Anthony Newley, Alfie Bass, Mary Jerrold, and Ronnie Corbett.

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Quotes

      'Professor' Fortescue: You're going to pass this examination by 'ook or by crook.

      Albert: We'll do it by crook - it's easier...

    • Connections
      Referenced in Des O'Connor Tonight: Episode #2.4 (1978)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 1953 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Top of the Form
    • Filming locations
      • Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK(Studio)
    • Production companies
      • Paul Soskin Productions
      • British Film-Makers
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 12m(72 min)
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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