Kill or Cure

Eric Sykes and Terry-Thomas appeared in a number of movies together, after this one. Notably, Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines and Monte Carlo or Bust, but this film made them the focus of the story as opposed to occasional comic turns. Very much along the lines of the Miss Marple movies, this is a funny, witty, well made film which plays to to the comic talents of the stars. Terry-Thomas is outstanding as the seedy PI, employed to detect strange goings-on at a health farm, run by Eric Sykes. Most amusing moments include Thomas trying to check in, ordering an alcoholic drink and realising that his luxury "chalet" only has three walls.

I wouldn't say this is an excellant film but it is a solid British comedy and a perfect example of a now extinct genre. Terry Thomas is a wonderful British stereotype with some funny dialogue and a wonderful accent. The sound track is also mildly effective in a cheesy sort of way. This film has a lot to reccomend it but it is also a very standard example of the 1950/60's British comedy genre

This is a rather enjoyable little early British comedy. Amazing to see how actually little British comedy changed over the decades. This movie is in the same trend as for instance the Pink Panther movies (although obviously less brilliant) and gives a fun take on the murder-mystery genre. A genre director George Pollock knew really well since he directed many Agatha Christie novel movies, including the four earliest Miss Jane Marple movies, starring Margaret Rutherford.

The movie is nothing too fancy and its kept very simple, with its story and characters. It's also obviously fairly low-budget all. But lets face it, the murder-mystery movies from the '60's themselves also weren't that much special in terms of originality and re-playability. In that regard this movie is a fitting one, that takes on all the typical genre clichés, without ever really becoming original on itself, though the movie does a good job at keeping it a secret who the killer is, right till the end.

The setting of the movie is a comical fun one; a health clinic but its potential isn't used to the max in this movie. There are too few references reminding us of the fact that this movie is set in a health clinic. I mean were are the mud-baths, the face-masks, cold-water baths, disgusting food, etcetera. I remember a "Dalziel and Pascoe" episode that used this in a far more effective comical way and "Dalziel and Pascoe" isn't even a comedy-series but a serious' English detective-series. So I felt that it was a bit of a missed opportunity, to make the movie effectively more fun and comical-like.

The actors aren't much special but they known how to handle the comedy-genre well. It also provides the movie with some fun comical characters, without overly trying to be funny. Such as Det. Insp. Hook (Lionel Jeffries) but also the main character played by Terry-Thomas is a good and fun one, that knows to carry the movie effectively.

A good fun movie. I mean, there basically is no way you wont enjoy watching this movie.

6/10

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Kill or Cure rates amongst my "Top 10" films. The dialogue is Brit-hilarious, and Terry-Thomas must be one of the funniest men who ever graced a movie screen. The best part, however, for this Peke lover, is that the real star of the film is a Pekingese puppy named Horatio who charmingly plays a pivotal role. Every Peke addict should watch this film. The director did an outstanding job in catching the true Peke personality on film. Horatio is a gorgeous pup with all the Peke "get up and go" toughness that one would expect from a Lion Dog. This film pokes fun at the British police, British class system, British health farms, detectives, and everybody and everything else. It is full of great wit, charm, warmth and intelligence. In short, they don't make movies like this anymore, and the world's much sadder for it!

Typical silly comedy vehicle for Terry-Thomas/Sykes/Jeffries to show their comedic talents. Even though I last saw it 30+ years ago I still remember it had me in stitches. A shame it is no longer available for viewing either on TV or on VHS/DVD as it was a good example of British comedy in the late 50's early 60's period.