Ma douce tigresse

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!

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.

Crooks Anonymous certainly has a refreshing story that elevates it from being a sub par Carry On type comedy.

Captain Forsdyke (Leslie Phillips) is a career criminal always tempted by pickpocketing and safecracking. His real name is Cox and never even seen real service. His girlfriend Babette (Julie Christie) a showgirl wants him to go straight.

Babette comes across a group called Crooks Anonymous, founded by Mr Montague (Wilfrid Hyde-White) they help hardened criminals go straight.

Forsdyke is taken by Brother Widdowes (Stanley Baxter) during a robbery when he is disguised as a policeman and taken to the Crooks Anonymous headquarters. Forsdyke admits to Montague that he wants to give up the life of crime and marry Babette.

During his time the society puts him through numerous tests to help him give up his former life such as locking him in a room filled with safes, which contain cigarettes, food, drink and a number of booby traps which make opening them hazardous.

Forsdyke finally manages to succeed in being resisting temptation to an opportunistic crime and is released into society where he gets a job as Father Christmas in a department store. He is also set to marry Babette.

However one night a perfect opportunity to commit a crime arises, he rings Crooks Anonymous, but each time they send someone round to rescue him, they also succumb to temptation.

The film has some 1960s Swinging London tropes, such as Christie as the glamorous blonde but what it has going is a sly story of villains made to go straight told with charm. Stanley Baxter has a hoot donning various disguises as he outwits Forsdyke at every turn. There are a host of familiar character actors that were a staple of 1960s British cinema, catch Dick Emery early on in the movie.

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.

Kleptomaniac (Phillips) wants to marry his girlfriend (Christie) but it's conditional on him going straight. After being tempted to pull off a safe cracking job, he's caught in the act and offered salvation via the benevolent guardian angel society known as "Crooks Anonymous" (when you're tempted to offend, just dial "uncrook" for assistance), led by former thief Wilfrid Hyde-White. Phillips proves to be a willing if troubled case, with guardian angel Stanley Baxter ready to test his honesty with ruses that Phillips routinely fails. But it turns out that not everyone is as rehabilitated as they portray.

Novel tale is amusing and Phillips is a likable comedian, ably supported by impressionist Baxter, light leading man Michael Medwin and other British notables; Norman Rossington features prominently as a department store night watchman toward the end of the film, and James Robertson Justice is memorable if brief as the store's ill-tempered owner. Her fans should also enjoy seeing fresh-faced Julie Christie in her film debut.

No belly laughs or side-splitting antics, but Baxter's impersonations and the set-ups for which Phillips falls are all capable of coaxing a giggle or two if you're in the right mood.