Carry On Faces in Different Places: Too Many Crooks

 

Here we go with a brand new series of blogs looking at some of the cream of British comedy film making from the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Although this blog is all about the Carry Ons, believe it or not, there were some other joyous comedy films made away from Peter Rogers Productions. However, given the quality of the actors Peter employed to make his series, it's no wonder that most of them popped up elsewhere.

We're starting off today with a classic black and white crime caper, directed by Mario Zampi in 1959: Too Many Crooks.

 

Who's in it?

Terry-Thomas, George Cole, Brenda de Banzie, Joe Melia and Vera Day.

Carry On Faces?

Sid James and Bernard Bresslaw both pre-Carry On, play pivotal roles in the gang at the centre of the film. Interestingly, despite Sid's vast experience, Bernard is billed above him in this film, probably due to Bernard's success on television in The Army Game. Watch out also for brief appearances from Nicholas Parsons, Sydney Tafler, Cyril Chamberlain and Terry Scott. 

What's it about?

Too Many Crooks is a fast moving, cleverly scripted comedy focussing on a criminal gang's inept attempts to swindle people out of their cash. George Cole is the gang leader with other members Bresslaw, Vera Day, Joe Melia and a certain Mr Sidney James. The gang soon hone in on crooked businessman Bill Gordon (Terry-Thomas) and finally set up a plan to kidnap his daughter and hold her for a ransome of £20000. However the bungling crooks kidnap Gordon's wife Lucy (de Banzie) instead, which is no immediate hardship to Gordon as he can't stand her. However soon the previously meek and mild Lucy turns the tables on both the gang and her husband and sets out to take control and take what's rightfully hers!

 

Best Bit?

A wonderful court sequence which sees Terry-Thomas up on several hilarious charges! Excellent performances and dialogue from all concerned as Terry heaps more and more trouble on himself. You can't go wrong with John Le Mesurier as the Judge, Terry Scott as a policeman and Sydney Tafler as Terry's solicitor. Lovely stuff.

Did you know?

The plot of Too Many Crooks was recycled for the 1986 Hollywood film Ruthless People, starring Bette Midler and Danny DeVito.

 

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Classic Comedy on Talking Pictures TV this afternoon!

 

A quick note to remind you that Talking Pictures TV are showing two truly classic British comedy films from the glory days of British film making this very afternoon. If you are a fan of the likes of Leslie Phillips, Sid James or Bernard Bresslaw, read on...

The Fast Lady (1962) 2pm

Murdoch Troon (Stanley Baxter) is a dour Scot living and working for a local government authority somewhere in the south of London. A shy young man, his main excitement comes from cycling. After he's forced off the road by an impatient car driver, he tracks down the owner, only to find that he is Commander Chingford (James Robertson Justice), the domineering and acerbic owner of a sportscar distributorship.

This delightful comedy also stars Leslie Phillips and Julie Christie, in her second film appearance. Watch out for cameos from the likes of Eric Barker, Esma Cannon, Dick Emery and Deryck Guyler.

 

Too Many Crooks (1959) 4pm
 
A brilliant comedy film about a bunch of inept crooks who kidnap the wrong woman. It stars George Cole as the leader of the gang, Brenda de Banzie as the victim, and Terry-Thomas as her husband. The film co-stars two future Carry On greats in Sidney James and Bernard Bresslaw. Watch out also for appearances from Vera Day, Terry Scott and John Le Mesurier.

So sit back and enjoy this double bill of classic British comedy or if you get the chance, set the video to record!

You can watch Talking Pictures TV on: Virgin 445 / Freeview 81 / Sky Channel 343 / Freesat 306 / Youview 81

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan on Facebook and on Instagram

Too Many Crooks at The Cinema Museum!

Those lovely people at The Cinema Museum are at it again! On Saturday 28 November they will be screening another classic British comedy film. It's not a Carry On but it is still worthy of a mention on this blog.

Too Many Crooks is a 1959 crime caper comedy featuring an all star cast of British comedy greats. The film stars Terry-Thomas, George Cole, Vera Day, Brenda De Banzie and two future Carry On legends in Sid James and Bernard Bresslaw. It has long been a favourite of mine and sadly we don't see it on television much these days.

The special screening will be followed by a very special event as actress Vera Day returns to the museum for an interview, a question and answer session with the audience and a special opportunity to meet Vera for autographs. Please note that the Audience with Vera Day event will follow on after the film however a separate ticket will be needed for this.

You can find out more information on The Cinema Museum Website .

If you get a chance to attend, please do get in touch to let me know how it goes!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan 

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George Cole dies aged 90

Sad news this lunchtime that the actor George Cole has passed away at the grand old age of 90. I grew up watching Cole star with Dennis Waterman in the wonderful comedy drama series Minder. While Cole will undoubtedly be best remembered as the dodgy car salesman Arthur Daley, the actor had a long, diverse career for decades before Minder first graced our screens and for many years afterwards too.

Although George Cole sadly never appeared in a Carry On film, he did work with the wonderful Joan Sims on several occasions. He appeared with Joan in two of her very earliest film roles, first of all in Will Any Gentleman? in 1953 and then again the following year in The Belles of St Trinian's which became a comedy classic, launched a series of sequels and gave Cole his famous Flash Harry character. Joan appeared as the glamorous Miss Dawn.

George Cole and Joan Sims would be reunited over forty years later, this time on the small screen. In 1995 Cole made a television series called My Good Friend, co-starring Richard Pearson. Joan popped up in a couple of episodes and it was great to see these two old pros together again.

Cole also starred with Carry On regulars Sid James and Bernard Bresslaw in the 1959 classic Too Many Crooks. 

It's always sad to see the passing of yet another familiar face from the golden age of British television and film, but what a wonderful career George Cole had. I think it might be time to break out the Minder box set. 

George Cole may be gone, but his legacy is over seventy years of glorious performances and the creation of many memorable characters. 

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