The Cracksman
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motion picture |
| Founded | 1963 |
| Founder | Peter Graham Scott (director) |
| Products | Comedy film |
The Cracksman is a British comedic motion picture from 1963, directed by Peter Graham Scott and featuring Charlie Drake in the lead role.
Plot
Ernest Wright, an honest yet gullible locksmith, is repeatedly tricked by a charming swindler into committing offenses such as unlocking vehicles, breaking into residences, and opening safes, resulting in several arrests and prison terms. While incarcerated, Ernest unintentionally earns a reputation as an expert thief. After his release, two rival groups exploit him in a plan to crack a safe; however, with assistance from Muriel, an undercover police officer, he aids in apprehending the criminals and restoring his reputation.
The film offers a parody of popular cultural references of the time, including Birdman of Alcatraz (1962), Dr. No (1962), Drake’s 1961 hit single My Boomerang Won't Come Back, and the Tower of London’s Ceremony of the Keys.
Cast
- Charlie Drake as Ernest Wright
- Nyree Dawn Porter as Muriel
- George Sanders as Guv'nor
- Dennis Price as Grantley
- Percy Herbert as Nosher Jenkins
- Eddie Byrne as Domino
- Finlay Currie as Feathers
- Geoffrey Keen as Magistrate
- George A. Cooper as Fred
- Patrick Cargill as Museum Guide
- Norman Bird as Policeman
- Neil McCarthy as Van Gogh
- Christopher Rhodes as Mr. King
- Ronnie Barker as Yossle
- Wanda Ventham as Sandra
- Jerold Wells as Chief Prison Officer
- Tutte Lemkow as Choreographer
- Richard Leech as Detective Sergeant
- Richard Shaw as Moke
Production
Scenes depicting Wright’s locksmith shop were filmed on Whitecross Street in London. Prison sequences took place at HM Prison Wandsworth and HM Prison Aylesbury. The exterior shots of the Tiki nightclub were captured on Buckingham Street, London WC2.
Delia Derbyshire contributed to the sound design for the "In a Monastery Garden" segment, notably crafting an "E♭ safe-unlocking mechanism."
Reception
According to Variety, Drake, recovering from an injury sustained during stunts, leaned heavily on physical humor involving gags such as being swept through a sewer and thrown into a car trunk. The review pointed out that improved pacing through tighter editing by Richard Best might have strengthened the screenplay and direction by Peter Graham Scott.
The New York Times characterized the film as a "colorful slapstick comedy."
Critic Leslie Halliwell remarked that although the movie contained lively moments, its traditional approach combined with excessive length diminished its overall impact.
The Radio Times Film Guide awarded it 2 out of 5 stars, describing it as an overextended blend of slapstick and sentimentality with unwarranted extravagance.
External links
- The Cracksman at ReelStreets