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.

British comedy by the director best known for the four Miss Maple movies starring Margaret Rutherford. Terry Thomas is a clumsy detective who's been called to a health club to investigate the strange things going on. When he gets there he finds it be very difficult handling all the clues he thinks point him in the right direction. Police Inspector Lionel Jeffries regards Thomas as being the strange thing going on. Lovely Movie.

Kill or Cure ticks all the boxes to make it a 'must see British Film', until I switch off the Video and decide whether I want to erase the tape or not. Frankly, it doesn't work. And it should. And that is the most infuriating thing about this film. Look at the cast and plot: Terry Thomas is a private eye investigating a murder mystery at a health club/hotel (run by Dennis Price). He teems up with an obsessive physical fitness organiser, played by Eric Sykes at the height of his filmed career. In the best British Murder Mystery Genre, they try and bring the murderer to book ahead of Lionel Jeffries' neurotic Policeman. The murderer is uncovered, there is a lovely twist at the end, but I was left with a nagging 'could do better' feeling.

It lacked that vital something. The film was well cast; it was well plotted; decently filmed; enthusiastically acted, but even lacks the charm and appeal of the Agatha Christie Films made at the same time.

"Kill or Cure" is an unusual film. While the plot is that of an Agatha Christie story about her recurring characters, Tommy and Tuppence, the story has been altered to make it a comedy. So instead of the husband/wife duo, you have Terry-Thomas as the Captain...a private detective AND photographer (it seems being a private eye doesn't pay well...so he takes photos to make ends meet).

The story begins with a rich elderly woman hiring the Captain over the phone. She wants him to stay at a health clinic and investigate some crime...and she'll tell him about it when she sees him at the clinic. As for the clinic, it's a place which believes in taking all the fun out of life and replacing it with vegetable juices, physical therapy which is akin to torture, and keeping the residents freezing 'for their own good'...and, naturally, the Captain hates it. However, before he can meet the old lady, she's murdered...and there's a large reward for solving the crime. However, it's not as easy as all that...as he'll soon find out for himself.

Terry-Thomas could be very funny. However, apart from the potentially funny setting, not enough is made of it when it comes to laughs. Now I am NOT saying it's a bad film...but it certainly isn't exactly a comedy though it is supposed to be. An okay offering...very watchable but missing what it needs to be a must-see.

"Kill or Cure" is a nice little British comedy from the 60s. Terry Thomas stars as a (sort of bumbling) private detective, and tries to solve a mysterious murder at a health clinic for a £2000 reward. It gets the job done as a comedy, as most of the jokes hit. The idea for it is good, and though The screenplay isn't amazing, it's still good nonetheless. It has a few other British stars, and each of the cast members act their roles well. It also works well as a mystery, and plays out as a good murder mystery film. Overall, it's a nice, lighthearted comedy. Personally, I liked it and recommend it. 6/10.