Otley

1969
M
1h 32m

IMDb RATING

6.1/10

632

YOUR RATING

Romy Schneider and Tom Courtenay in Otley (1969)

Play trailer2:46

1 Video

29 Photos

Comedy

Gerald Otley, wannabe antiques dealer, is kicked out of his flat for failing to pay rent, sleeps at a friend's house for the night, wakes up two days later in an airport field, and finds him... Read allGerald Otley, wannabe antiques dealer, is kicked out of his flat for failing to pay rent, sleeps at a friend's house for the night, wakes up two days later in an airport field, and finds himself entangled in international espionage.Gerald Otley, wannabe antiques dealer, is kicked out of his flat for failing to pay rent, sleeps at a friend's house for the night, wakes up two days later in an airport field, and finds himself entangled in international espionage.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.1/10

632

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win total

User reviews16

Featured review

8/10

Overlooked gem that deserves a DVD!

This is one of my favorite 60's films. It's based on the first of a series of books by Martin Waddell about Gerald Arthur Otley, a young man whose occasional pocket-picking inadvertently lands him in the middle of a spy plot. (The books are great fun, too). Poor Otley's in way over his head, can't tell the good guys from the bad, and like Dorothy in "the Wizard of Oz," simply wants to go home! Suddenly his dull old life doesn't look so bad. There are many funny sequences, but the one in which he takes his driving test is truly inspired.

Tom Courtenay gives one of his best performances as the lead character, and he's well supported by a terrific cast of veteran character actors. Leonard Rossiter has an especially funny cameo. Moreover, "Otley" has one of the catchiest soundtracks of that era, a quirky mix of classical and rock tunes, and you'll find yourself humming the main theme for days after you've watched the film.

Why isn't this available on DVD? Or even VHS? It's a major oversight. "Otley Forever!"

klweber42
Jul 10, 2005
Permalink

Trivia
First theatrical movie directed by screenwriter Dick Clement.

Goofs
In the opening credits Otley is seen walking down a street, as he approaches a green mini van in front of which is a black Ford and in front of that kneeling down is the unit photographer who suddenly realising that he's in shot jumps up and scurries away.

Quotes
[opening scene: close shot of Otley lying in bed with his landlady]
Gerald Arthur Otley: You know, as landladies go, you are undoubtedly the most warm-hearted, generous and gracious... that I've ever owed rent to.
Landlady: Three months is a lot to owe
Gerald Arthur Otley: I'm expecting a cheque - I've entered this filthy limerick compettiion and I'm almost certain to win.
Landlady: Not to mention all the things you've lifted. You're a naughty boy, d'you know that? When you moved in here, this was a *furnished* flat.
[wide shot of room with bare floorboards, a bed, a chair, a wardrobe - and not much else]
Landlady: Now everything's on a second-hand cart in the Portobello Road.
Gerald Arthur Otley: I never did trust your cleaning woman.
Landlady: And what about the damaged sink and the Confirmation medal in the gas-meter?
Gerald Arthur Otley: Dearest one, I thought you came up here to sample my unbridled sensuality, not to take a bloody inventory.
Landlady: You're a luxury I can't afford, love.
[she turns and hugs him]
Landlady: Still, come here and give us a goodbye kiss.
Gerald Arthur Otley: Goodbye? Where are you going?
Landlady: Oh, not me, you. You're being evicted this morning.
Gerald Arthur Otley: I'm being evicted? After our night of passion?
Landlady: Well I felt I had to get *something* out of you before you left.