Well-known prankster Henry Augustus Russell (Hugh Griffith) has laughed his last, and his four relatives gather for the reading of his will. Unfortunately for them, the only way they can each receive the £100,000 inheritance is do something wildly out of character - and that's a challenge for all of them! Deniston (Alistair Sim), a reluctant writer of James Hadley Chase-style novels, must somehow spend 28 days in prison; Agnes (Faye Compton), a snobbish battle-axe who bullies her staff, must become a maid for a month; timid bank clerk Herbert (George Cole) must hold up his own bank, while serial womaniser Simon (Guy Middleton) must marry the first woman he speaks to.
This British comedy from Italian director Mario Zampi is a feel-good film which, although not hilarious, is nonetheless amusing and at times even touching. The scenes in which Agnes contends with her cantankerous, bedridden employer (John Laurie) make this more of a light drama, and perhaps occupies a little too much of the run-time, but the other strands liven it up. Guy Middleton is excellent as a proto-Leslie Phillips, practically reprising his role from the raucous school comedy The Happiest Days of Your Life (also with Sim). George Cole is convincingly nervous as he prepares to confront his boss with a gun, while Joyce Grenfell does what only she can as Sim's militaristic, yet subtly vulnerable, fiancé of ten years. There's also a fleeting appearance from a very young Audrey Hepburn, who receives an introductory credit. The plot may be simple and familiar, but it made for entertaining Christmas Day viewing on the Talking Pictures TV channel. I must have seen it five times, over the years.
This British comedy from Italian director Mario Zampi is a feel-good film which, although not hilarious, is nonetheless amusing and at times even touching. The scenes in which Agnes contends with her cantankerous, bedridden employer (John Laurie) make this more of a light drama, and perhaps occupies a little too much of the run-time, but the other strands liven it up. Guy Middleton is excellent as a proto-Leslie Phillips, practically reprising his role from the raucous school comedy The Happiest Days of Your Life (also with Sim). George Cole is convincingly nervous as he prepares to confront his boss with a gun, while Joyce Grenfell does what only she can as Sim's militaristic, yet subtly vulnerable, fiancé of ten years. There's also a fleeting appearance from a very young Audrey Hepburn, who receives an introductory credit. The plot may be simple and familiar, but it made for entertaining Christmas Day viewing on the Talking Pictures TV channel. I must have seen it five times, over the years.