Where There's a Will

After a slow start, this builds up into the perfect comedy heist movie. Although no longer a school teacher, Will Hay is the same unpleasant but somehow loveable silly old git. It's not to OH MR PORTER standards but is still one of his best.

Compared with his first Gainsborough picture, BOYS WILL BE BOYS, in terms of plot, humour and production standards, this it at a noticeably higher level. It's not just a display of Will Hay's tried and trusted old music hall act, this is a proper film - an American crime caper! The Americans in the cast fit seamlessly into this making it seem both typically English and also American. Maybe having an American director helped? Director William Beaudine wasn't just contracted to make this, he was actually involved in its writing so being completely on board with this project from its inception ensures a lovingly well made picture.

Only the genius of Will Hay could make such an unpleasant, selfish and incompetent character a hero. He's horrible to his colleagues, he's lazy and corrupt but from the first moment he's on screen we're rooting for him. Why we find him so likeable makes no sense, it just does.