01
The League of Gentlemen
Why this pick
Another sharply observed British caper in which a meticulously organised criminal scheme gains comic momentum from its eccentric ensemble and dry, class-conscious humour.
A FILM WORTH A CLOSER LOOKTHE FEATURE PRESENTATION
MOVIE1963 1h 34m GBR
IF THIS ONE STAYED WITH YOU
Movies like
The Wrong Arm of the Law
CrimeComedy
CINEHUNCH / THE NEXT FRAME
Keep the feeling.
SIMILAR PICKS / A PERSONAL CONNECTION
If you loved The Wrong Arm of the Law, try these.
01
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Two Way Stretch
Why this pick
Peter Sellers brings the same nimble comic-criminal energy to a playful prison-break caper, built around ludicrous planning, reversals and a wonderfully straight-faced supporting cast.
03
The Lavender Hill Mob
Why this pick
Its mild-mannered criminals, elaborate theft and escalating mishaps share the genial London caper spirit and precise comic construction of The Wrong Arm of the Law.
04
Crooks in Cloisters
Why this pick
A gang of small-time crooks hiding in a monastery gives this a similarly breezy collision of criminal incompetence, British character comedy and increasingly fragile disguises.
05
The Big Job
Why this pick
Sid James and a crooked gang attempt a large robbery in this broad, cheerfully silly British caper, with the same fondness for underworld types undermining one another.
Finding the atmosphere, tension and little details that made this one stay with you.
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01 / THE STORY
A little about the film.
In London, a gang of criminals from Australia led by Jack Coombes (Bill Kerr) impersonate policemen to carry out robberies. Local gang leader "Pearly" Gates (Peter Sellers), who operates from the cover of a French couturier, finds his takings cut severely, and blames rival crook "Nervous" O'Toole (Bernard Cribbins). When it emerges that they are both being scammed by the same gang, they join forces, along with Lionel Jeffries' Police Inspector "Nosey" Parker, to bring the so-called "I.P.O. mob" (I.P.O. - Impersonating a Police Officer) to justice. Nanette Newman provides the love interest, the ubiquitous John Le Mesurier plays a senior policeman, and a young Michael Caine has a small and uncredited role as a young PC. Other uncredited roles include John Junkin (Maurice), Dennis Price (Educated Ernest), Cardew Robinson (Postman), Dick Emery (Man in Flat 307), Mario Fabrizi (Van Driver), John Harvey (actor) (Police Station Sergeant), Harold Siddons (PC in Basement Garage), Jack Silk (Police Station PC), Derek Guyler (non-speaking PC at Scotland Yard), Gerald Sim (Airfield Official) and Marianne Stone (“The bird in the front row” at Gangsters' Meeting).
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02 / FACES IN THE FRAME
The people who bring it to life.
Lionel Jeffries
Inspector Fred 'Nosey' Parker
Davy Kaye
Trainer King
Bill Kerr
Jack Coombes
Ed Devereaux
Bluey May
Reg Lye
Reg Denton
Martin Boddey
Superintendent J.S. Forest
Arthur Mullard
Brassknuckles
Nanette Newman
Valerie