The Wrong Arm of the Law (1963)
Directed by Cliff Owen

Comedy / Crime

Film Review

Abstract picture representing The Wrong Arm of the Law (1963)
One of the most memorable crime comedies of the 1960s, The Wrong Arm of the Law calls to mind that earlier Ealing comedy classic, The Lavender Hill Mob (1951), although the humour is somewhat more sophisticated and characters a tad more convincing.  What both films have in common is that they provide an insight into the Britain of their day - the post-war austerity and entrenched class system in the earlier film and improved living standards, coupled with the growing power of the trades unions, in the latter.  The screenplay was written by a formidable team consisting of Ray Galton, Alan Simpson and John Antrobus - the latter wrote some episodes of the hit radio series The Goon Show whilst the former two scripted some of Britain's most successful radio and television series, including Hancock's Half-Hour and Steptoe and Son.

Peter Sellers heads a terrific ensemble cast comprising some very familiar British actors - Lionel Jeffries, Bernard Cribbins, Nanette Newman, John Le Mesurier and Arthur Mullard.  Watch very closely and you may catch a glimpse of Michael Caine, who would later feature in the best British crime comedy of them all, The Italian Job (1969).  Sellers is perfect for the part of the cockney king of crime who has a sideline as a high class couturier, allowing him to perfect the French accent that he would put to good use as Inspector Clouseau in his subsequent Pink Panther films.  Brisk, witty and quintessentially British in the way it lampoons authority whilst championing the little man, The Wrong Arm of the Law is one of the most enjoyable British comedies of the 1960s.
© James Travers 2009
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Film Synopsis

London gang leader Pearly Gates is none too pleased when a rival gang, disguised as police officers, thwart his brilliantly contrived robberies and run off with the ill-gotten gains.  To Gates's mind, impersonating a police office is not something that your honest, self-respecting felon would ever contemplate, so he gathers together London's criminal fraternity to form a syndicate in a bid to flush out the maverick crooks.  Out of desperation, Gates offers the police a truce if they will help him capture the rogue criminals and thereby restore the status quo.  Inspector Parker of the Yard is enthusiastic about the idea, until he learns that he must join Gates's gang...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.


Film Credits

  • Director: Cliff Owen
  • Script: Ray Galton, Alan Simpson, John Antrobus, John Warren, Len Heath, Ivor Jay (story), William Whistance Smith (story)
  • Cinematographer: Ernest Steward
  • Music: Richard Rodney Bennett
  • Cast: Peter Sellers (Pearly Gates), Lionel Jeffries (Inspector Fred 'Nosey' Parker), Bernard Cribbins (Nervous O'Toole), Davy Kaye (Trainer King), Nanette Newman (Valerie), Bill Kerr (Jack Coombes), Ed Devereaux (Bluey May), Reg Lye (Reg Denton), John Le Mesurier (Assistant Commissioner), Graham Stark (Sid Cooper), Martin Boddey (Superintendent J.S. Forest), Irene Browne (Dowager), Arthur Mullard (Brassknuckles), Dermot Kelly (Misery Martin), Vanda Godsell (Annette), Tutte Lemkow (Siggy Schmoltz), Barry Keegan (Alf), Michael Caine (Police Station PC), Dick Emery (Man in Flat 307), Mario Fabrizi (Van Driver)
  • Country: UK
  • Language: English
  • Support: Black and White
  • Runtime: 94 min

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