By the late '60's/early '70's, the hey-day of British comedy films was well and truly over. Though they continued to be made, their chief inspiration was television. Alongside the numerous 'On The Buses' and 'Steptoe & Son' spin-offs were remakes of past glories.
'Some Will, Some Won't' was based on the classic Mario Zampi film 'Laughter In Paradise', which starred Alistair Sim.
When arch-joker Henry Russell dies, he bequeathes to his four relatives a share in his fortune. But there's a catch; in order to qualify each must carry out a specific task to the letter. Haughty spinster Agnes ( Thora Hird ) must spend a month working in a hotel. Philandering Simon ( Leslie Phillips ) has to marry the first woman he speaks to on leaving the solicitor's office. Timid bank clerk Herbert ( Ronnie Corbett ) needs to rob the bank where he works. Bestselling pulp crime novelist Dennison ( Michael Hordern ) has to spend a month in prison.
Needless to say, the would-be beneficiaries are not very good in carrying out their respective tasks, and there's a twist ending you can see coming a mile off. Of the four sections which comprise the main body of the plot, the best is the Hordern one, while the worst is Phillips' tedious romancing of gold digger Barbara Murray.
Lew Schwarz's script sticks closely to the Jack Davies and Michael Pertwee original, even incorporating the original film's most famous scene - Denniston trying to get arrested for shoplifting in a department store.
Most of the cast brought along their established comic personas; Leslie Phillips plays the roguish cad, Thora Hird the sharp-tongued battle axe, James Robertson Justice the bombastic tyrant and so on. Also along for the ride were Arthur Lowe, Stephen Lewis from 'On The Buses', Wilfrid 'Steptoe' Brambell, and Noel Howlett of 'Please Sir!' fame.
The director of was Duncan Wood, producer of the television shows 'Hancock's Half-Hour' and 'Steptoe & Son', as well as a charming Harry H.Corbett vehicle entitled 'The Bargee' ( 1964 ).
If you have never seen 'Laughter In Paradise', you should enjoy this film. Despite the familiarity of the material, its worth watching mainly for the wonderful cast. And its not every day you get to see Ronnie Corbett as 'John Steed' from 'The Avengers'!
'Some Will, Some Won't' was based on the classic Mario Zampi film 'Laughter In Paradise', which starred Alistair Sim.
When arch-joker Henry Russell dies, he bequeathes to his four relatives a share in his fortune. But there's a catch; in order to qualify each must carry out a specific task to the letter. Haughty spinster Agnes ( Thora Hird ) must spend a month working in a hotel. Philandering Simon ( Leslie Phillips ) has to marry the first woman he speaks to on leaving the solicitor's office. Timid bank clerk Herbert ( Ronnie Corbett ) needs to rob the bank where he works. Bestselling pulp crime novelist Dennison ( Michael Hordern ) has to spend a month in prison.
Needless to say, the would-be beneficiaries are not very good in carrying out their respective tasks, and there's a twist ending you can see coming a mile off. Of the four sections which comprise the main body of the plot, the best is the Hordern one, while the worst is Phillips' tedious romancing of gold digger Barbara Murray.
Lew Schwarz's script sticks closely to the Jack Davies and Michael Pertwee original, even incorporating the original film's most famous scene - Denniston trying to get arrested for shoplifting in a department store.
Most of the cast brought along their established comic personas; Leslie Phillips plays the roguish cad, Thora Hird the sharp-tongued battle axe, James Robertson Justice the bombastic tyrant and so on. Also along for the ride were Arthur Lowe, Stephen Lewis from 'On The Buses', Wilfrid 'Steptoe' Brambell, and Noel Howlett of 'Please Sir!' fame.
The director of was Duncan Wood, producer of the television shows 'Hancock's Half-Hour' and 'Steptoe & Son', as well as a charming Harry H.Corbett vehicle entitled 'The Bargee' ( 1964 ).
If you have never seen 'Laughter In Paradise', you should enjoy this film. Despite the familiarity of the material, its worth watching mainly for the wonderful cast. And its not every day you get to see Ronnie Corbett as 'John Steed' from 'The Avengers'!