Two-Way Stretch

Two-Way Stretch

Company type	Film
Industry	Film
Founded	1960
Founder	Robert Day (director)
Products	Comedy film

Two-Way Stretch, alternatively titled Nothing Barred, is a 1960 British comedy film helmed by director Robert Day. The film features performances by Peter Sellers, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Lionel Jeffries, and Bernard Cribbins. The script, crafted by Vivian Cox, John Warren, and Len Heath, centers on a group of inmates who devise a plan to escape prison, execute a robbery, and then return behind bars to secure an unbreakable alibi. Their strategy faces obstacles with the introduction of a stringent new Chief Prison Officer.

Plot

Approaching the conclusion of their sentences, three prisoners—"Dodger" Lane, "Jelly" Knight, and "Lennie the Dip"—are contacted by a man posing as a vicar offering them employment. This individual is actually the con artist "Soapy" Stevens, who proposes an elaborate diamond heist. Their scheme involves breaking out of jail, carrying out the theft, and subsequently re-entering prison to create an impeccable alibi. Assisted by Dodger’s girlfriend Ethel and Lennie’s mother, they orchestrate their escape concealed within a counterfeit prison transport van driven by Soapy. The plan nearly collapses due to the arrival of the new Chief Prison Officer, the strict disciplinarian "Sour" Crout.

The trio manages to sneak back into prison hidden inside a garbage truck slated for an early collection but finds themselves buried beneath unforeseen refuse. They stash the stolen diamonds in the Governor’s office until their release. However, the bag containing the jewels goes missing during a train journey. Stevens is identified and taken into custody, while Crout unwittingly creates turmoil by assaulting an actual vicar. Meanwhile, the others avoid arrest and continue their pursuit of the diamonds, appearing disguised at an event where the Sultan is to be gifted his weight in precious stones.

Cast

• Peter Sellers as "Dodger" Lane
• Lionel Jeffries portraying Chief Prison Officer "Sour" Crout
• Wilfrid Hyde-White in the role of "Soapy" Stevens
• Bernard Cribbins as Lennie ("The Dip") Price
• David Lodge playing "Jelly" Knight
• Irene Handl as Mrs Price
• Liz Fraser in the role of Ethel
• Maurice Denham as Horatio Bennett, prison governor
• Beryl Reid portraying Miss Pringle
• George Woodbridge as Chief Prison Officer Jenkins
• Edwin Brown playing warder Charlie
• Cyril Chamberlain as day gate warder
• Wallas Eaton as night gate warder
• William Abney as visiting room warder
• Thorley Walters in the role of Colonel Parkright
• John Wood as captain
• Robert James playing police superintendent
• Walter Hudd as Reverend Patterson
• Mario Fabrizi portraying Jones
• Warren Mitchell as tailor
• John Glyn-Jones in the role of lawyer
• Arthur Mullard as Fred
• Ian Wilson playing milkman
• Edward Dentith as detective
• John Harvey as governor Rockhampton Prison
• Ted Carroll as "Tarzan Model" during Art Class

Production

The scenes set within the prison were shot at South Cavalry Barracks in Aldershot, while the robbery involving a security van was filmed at Pirbright Arch located in Brookwood, Surrey.

Critical reception

Kine Weekly identified the movie as a "money maker" at the UK box office during 1960.

According to The Monthly Film Bulletin, the film heavily depended on well-known farcical elements and prisoner-of-war escape clichés. The review commended Wilfrid Hyde White's comedic performance but considered Peter Sellers less compelling than in his earlier roles. Nonetheless, it recognized that the film’s brisk tempo and uncomplicated humor would resonate with viewers.

In The New York Times, critic Bosley Crowther applauded the witty Cockney dialogue and Robert Day’s energetic direction, highlighting the strong ensemble cast and acknowledging Sellers’ growing prominence.

Leslie Halliwell referred to the film as an "entertaining comedy with solid performances," noting its partial inspiration from Convict 99.

The Radio Times Guide to Films awarded it 4 out of 5 stars, describing it as one of Peter Sellers’ finest early British comedies. The guide praised the chemistry between Sellers, Bernard Cribbins, David Lodge, and Lionel Jeffries, and lauded the well-crafted storyline involving prisoners orchestrating a break-in following a robbery, along with notable cameo appearances.