Infamous thief attempts reformation through 12-step program led by former criminal to marry girlfriend. His job as department store Santa tests his resolve for change.Infamous thief attempts reformation through 12-step program led by former criminal to marry girlfriend. His job as department store Santa tests his resolve for change.Infamous thief attempts reformation through 12-step program led by former criminal to marry girlfriend. His job as department store Santa tests his resolve for change.
- Director
- Writers
- Stars
- Laurence Montague
- (as Wilfrid Hyde White)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
British comedies coming out at this time all seemed to be so good, as this is no exception, yet another winner. It features many of the likeable stars from the period such as Leslie Phillips and Stanley Baxter as well as Julie Christie in her film debut.
Good interesting story and funny with it
its a winner
8.5 out of 10.
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.
The usual suspects show up, including Wilfred Hyde-White as the head of the reforming organization, James Robertson Justice as the obnoxious head of a department store on Christmas eve and Stanley Baxter as a Dwight Frye sort of master of disguise. Ken Annakin's comedy is rather brittle, but all the parts work.
The movie is Julie Christie's film debut, and the camera, under the supervision of Ernest Steward, clearly lusts for her. No matter where she is in the shot, it seems lit to feature her liberally visible body.... or perhaps it's just me. The early 1960s was a time when ogling but (barely) censor-compliant comedies seemed to be the only thing keeping the British film industry afloat. As the only young woman in sight, Miss Christie was the obvious choice for rubbernecking.Nonetheless, it's clear that the camera loves her.
Did you know
- TriviaFilm debut of Julie Christie.
- GoofsWhen Fosdyke (Leslie Phillips) is left alone after being taken to Manderville Hall he falls into the trap of opening a safe behind a picture. In the first shot he is suddenly interrupted by Senior Brother (Wilfrid Hyde-White) and closes the picture over the safe, but when it is reopened the handle is at right angles to where it was before.
- Quotes
Babette La Verne: Show me one thing. Just one thing in this room that you've come by honestly.
Dandy Forsdyke: [He looks and looks and, after some difficulty, takes a frame from the mantle which has a photograph of Babette] Well, um, Well, there must be something. What about this, eh?
[And then he explains]
Dandy Forsdyke: The picture, I mean. Not - not the frame.
Babette La Verne: [Tearfully] Even the camera you took it with was stolen.
- ConnectionsReferences The Yogi Bear Show (1961)
- SoundtracksI Must Resist Temptation
(uncredited)
Music by George Martin and Muir Mathieson
Lyrics by Brian Innes
Sung by Leslie Phillips
[Played during opening title card and credits]
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Crooks Anonymous
- Filming locations
- Kynance Mews, South Kensington, London, England, UK(Kenton Mews - Dandy's house)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 28 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1