That Riviera Touch

The English comedy team of Morecambe&Wise made only a few film appearances and never even tried to break into the American market as did their contemporaries Peter Cook and Dudley Moore. Having seen clips of their television work I can say that after watching That Riviera Touch they were strangely subdued for this film.

Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise play a pair of traffic enforcement officers who decide to take an immediate holiday after ticketing Queen Elizabeth's own illegally parked vehicle. I guess that's one of the real perks of royalty.

When they get to the Riviera scheming Susanne Lloyd figures these two not too bright Englishmen are the perfect pigeons to hide and transport some stolen jewels. She's working for gang and another gang is also interested in the swag. Not to mention the authorities.

They convince Eric and Ernie to stay in a special villa that has trap doors and secret passages and tap water spigots that if turned the right way will kill you. A perfect place for a pair of tourist yokels.

The final scene with Eric on water skis and Ernie trying to rescue him is pretty funny and well executed. Still the film overall is not as good as some of the television material I've seen.

It's a good introduction though for American fans.

April 2021

That riviera touch, equally on par with the other 2 Morecambe and Wise films from the 1960s.

Why are the IMDB scores so low for them?

I think they are great.

See if you can spot Alexandra Bastedo from the Champions fame.

9 out of 10.

First time hearing about Eric & Ernie.

The two get mixed up with jewel thieves on their vacation in France.

1966 classic Eric and Ernie. For the those of us that love the duo it's brilliant. Typical comedy from the 1960's. If you don't like this family fun then I just don't know.

This is not as funny as The Intelligence Men' but a better film and contains the gorgeous Suzanne Lloyd.

The French Riviera is the setting and its a good story about two bumbling blokes on holiday who get involved in a diamond theft, Its well acted and the stunts are good, at least they have French actors playing French characters.

The photography and scenery is very good and its well directed, ignore the negative reviews, they are idiots who don't know their arse from their elbows.

This is how comedy film should be made, with style.