Law and Disorder (1958 film)

Law and Disorder

Company type	Film
Industry	Entertainment (Film)
Founded	1958
Founder	Charles Crichton (director)
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Products	Crime comedy film

Law and Disorder is a 1958 British crime comedy film directed by Charles Crichton, featuring performances by Michael Redgrave, Robert Morley, Joan Hickson, and Lionel Jeffries. The screenplay adapts the 1954 novel Smugglers' Circuit authored by Denys Roberts. Originally helmed by Henry Cornelius, the production saw Crichton take over directing duties after Cornelius's untimely death during filming.

Plot

Percy Brand, a habitual offender, frequently faces incarceration at the hands of Judge Sir Edward Crichton. To shield his son Colin from the truth about his criminal lifestyle, Percy concocts elaborate tales of missionary endeavors and military service to justify his absences. Colin is raised by Aunt Florence, who is aware of Percy's illicit activities and supports Colin with money derived from these ventures.

As Colin pursues a career in law, becoming a barrister, Percy is serving another prison sentence. Upon his release, Percy discovers that Colin has accepted an unpaid marshal role working under Judge Crichton, his longtime adversary. To avoid detection, Percy retreats to a seaside cottage but soon resumes small-scale smuggling operations involving brandy hidden inside sharks.

Major Proudfoot, an associate of Percy’s, draws him into a plan to smuggle counterfeit emeralds valued at £100,000. Percy orchestrates a scheme involving impersonation of customs officers and fake policemen. However, complications arise when Judge Crichton unexpectedly arrives at Creekford Harbour, leading to Percy's capture and impending trial presided over by Crichton himself.

Aunt Florence intervenes by introducing a trivial lawsuit—a slander case concerning a parrot—to stall the proceedings. Meanwhile, Percy's accomplices attempt to incriminate Crichton by planting smuggled goods in the judge’s vehicle. Their plot fails when Crichton and Colin lose their way and are apprehended by police.

Colin admits his role to help resolve the predicament but cannot prevent both Percy and Crichton from being transported together for trial. During the journey, Percy confesses everything to Crichton, who shows understanding and withdraws from the case due to prior dealings with Percy. Colin remains unaware of this development. Released on bail but expecting imprisonment, Percy bids farewell to Colin, hinting at one last escapade before retiring.

Trivia

Stanley Escane, who appeared in the 1947 Ealing Studios comedy Hue and Cry directed by Charles Crichton, delivers an uncredited line as a police car driver.

Filming locations include exterior shots of Wandsworth Prison in London, Windsor & Eton railway station, and Fishguard Harbour in west Wales, which stands in for "Creekford Harbour."

Cast

• Michael Redgrave as Percy Brand
• Robert Morley as Judge Sir Edward Crichton
• Ronald Squire as Colonel Masters
• Elizabeth Sellars as Gina Laselle
• Joan Hickson as Aunt Florence
• Lionel Jeffries as Major Proudfoot
• Jeremy Burnham as Colin Brand
• Brenda Bruce as Mrs Mary Cooper
• Harold Goodwin as Blacky
• George Coulouris as Bennie [Bensuson]
• Meredith Edwards as Sergeant Bolton
• Reginald Beckwith as Vickery
• David Hutcheson as Freddie [Cooper]
• Mary Kerridge as Lady Crichton
• Michael Trubshawe as Ivan
• John Le Mesurier as Pomfret
• Irene Handl as woman in train
• Allan Cuthbertson as Police Inspector
• Sam Kydd as Shorty
• John Hewer as Foxy
• John Warwick as Police Superintendent
• Nora Nicholson as Mrs. Cartwright
• Anthony Sagar as Customs Officer
• John Paul as customs officer
• Alfred Burke as poacher
• Michael Brennan as prison warden
• Toke Townley as Rumpthorne
• Arthur Howard as Burrows
• John Rudling as man in train
• Gerald Cross as Hodgkin

Production

Charles Crichton expressed frustration with the producer's lack of clear guidance, mentioning that he frequently had to contend with him. He also pointed out that the removal of a crucial scene led to an ambiguous conclusion in the film.

Critical reception

A. H. Weiler of The New York Times commended Robert Morley's portrayal and characterized the film's humor as boldly irreverent and entertaining.

David Quinlan awarded the film a "good" rating in British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959, identifying it as an Ealing-style production, albeit not among their finest works.

The Radio Times Guide to Films assigned it three out of five stars, emphasizing the effective partnership between director Charles Crichton and co-writer T.E.B. Clarke, while praising Michael Redgrave's compelling performance. The review observed a deceleration in the storyline following Redgrave's character's retirement.

Leslie Halliwell referred to the film as an "entertaining, sharply executed caper reminiscent of lesser Ealing efforts."

TV Guide lauded the concise script and strong performances by prominent English character actors, highlighting the dynamic rapport between Morley and Redgrave and expressing regret that their collaboration did not continue into a film series.