Too Many Crooks

For any fans of British comedy films of the 50's/60's, this is one of the best. It has a calvacade of British comic character actors, who all turn in well-honed performances, with the icing on the cake provided by Terry-Thomas, at the top of his form. His rapid fire delivery, clever mugging and sheer enthusiasm in the lead role is a joy to behold. I can't think of any other actor who could have carried off this characterisation half as well. The whole film simply bristles with that unique joie-de-vivre that was inherent in the very best of the British comedies at that time. An undoubted treat for all comedy-loving film buffs.

A mix of future Carry-On regulars (Sid James, Bernard Bresslaw, a moment of Terry Scott) and greats of the Ealing scene (Terry-Thomas, George Cole, John Le Mesurier) get down to some serious fun in this typically good British comedy. Crime is always the best setting for Ealing comedy and this one features all the necessary bits ? Thomas' cad-about-town, Cole's bungling would-be criminal mastermind, James' surly crook, even a bit part for a young Nicholas Parsons as Thomas' daughter's suspicious taxman fiance. As usual, our cast get themselves caught up in some shenanigans trying to rob Thomas of his dodgy cash and get themselves sorted in the end through a mix of ingenuity and outrageous fortune, stopping to pile on the laughs at regular intervals. I loved it, but then I'd be quite happy just watching Terry-Thomas grinning for two hours. Fun.

One of the better British farces of the late fifties, the plot of Mario Zampi's "Too Many Crooks" was later used for the Bette Midler vehicle "Ruthless People". The humour here is broad and decidedly British and is often laugh-out-loud funny. The cast comprises of some of the best British comedy actors of the time, (Terry-Thomas, George Cole, Bernard Bresslaw, Sidney James), as well as that wonderful character actress Brenda De Banzie as the kidnap victim whose husband, (the sublime Terry-Thomas), refuses to pay the ransom to get her back. What happens next may be predictable but thanks to Michael Pertwee's screenplay is also hugely enjoyable and on its own simple level, Zampi's direction is just about perfect.

This film popped up on TCM last week and I'm glad I caught it. I'm a fan of British comedies, from Ealing to Carry On, but this one had somehow escaped my radar. It's a delightful cast, and they make the most of scriptwriter Pertwee's gags (even the tired ones). There are little bits of plots from elsewhere, such as O Henry's RANSOM OF RED CHIEF (the unlovable kidnap victim) or the original LADYKILLERS (banknotes in the breeze). An upbeat, jazzy 50s score adds to the merriment, and George Cole is a stand-out for the many different characters he portrays throughout the film. Terry-Thomas, Bernard Bresslaw & Sid James, and Brenda De Banzie also deserve special mention. If you recall that Ms De Banzie played a very sinister villain just three years earlier in THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH, you'll appreciate her acting range. You might even want to watch twice so you don't miss some of the more subtle verbal gags.

Absolutely hysterical! I have never forgotten any of the Mario Zampi comedies I first saw as a teenager in the 1950s, especially this one & Laughter in Paradise. George Cole was in both (he's still around & working, lucky for us) & gives a brilliantly funny performance. Terry-Thomas has never been funnier. In this film he's like a broader version of Rex Harrison. Many of the set pieces (such as the undertakers in top hats pulling a criminal caper) & performances (especially by George Cole) seem like predecessors of Monty Python. The entire cast is perfect & includes Sid James & Bernard Bresslaw from the Carry On movies. One of the funniest films I've ever seen.