This is one of those films that, if you are of a certain age, holds fond memories for you. I clearly remember watching it as a kid and thinking it was one of the funniest films I'd ever seen but now, seen through adult eyes, I realise it is really just a mediocre farce indistinguishable from many of the British comedies coming out in the early 60s.
Sid James and Kenneth Connor play the two bumbling friends who visit a remote country mansion to claim Connors' inheritance following the death of an uncle. Once there they meet various members of Connors' dotty family, who begin to be picked off one by one during the course of a dark and stormy night.
Sid James is always enjoyable to watch, and his crumpled face is as familiar to Brits as the Queen's. He's always good in whatever role he plays and he appeared in some truly dire films simply because he plays the same role over and over. Connor did pretty much the same, but his timid coward act was more irritating than enjoyable, as it is here. Donald Pleasance also appears in a creepy role, and it is he and James who provide the film's better moments. The film itself is pretty uneven, starting off brightly enough but then becoming mired down, reaching its lowest point during a protracted and desperately unfunny sequence which sees our heroes trying to sleep together in a four-poster bed.
If your over 40, watch this one only if you're prepared to have your childhood memories crushed.
Sid James and Kenneth Connor play the two bumbling friends who visit a remote country mansion to claim Connors' inheritance following the death of an uncle. Once there they meet various members of Connors' dotty family, who begin to be picked off one by one during the course of a dark and stormy night.
Sid James is always enjoyable to watch, and his crumpled face is as familiar to Brits as the Queen's. He's always good in whatever role he plays and he appeared in some truly dire films simply because he plays the same role over and over. Connor did pretty much the same, but his timid coward act was more irritating than enjoyable, as it is here. Donald Pleasance also appears in a creepy role, and it is he and James who provide the film's better moments. The film itself is pretty uneven, starting off brightly enough but then becoming mired down, reaching its lowest point during a protracted and desperately unfunny sequence which sees our heroes trying to sleep together in a four-poster bed.
If your over 40, watch this one only if you're prepared to have your childhood memories crushed.