Too Many Crooks (1959) in Color — Starring Terry-Thomas & George Cole

Too Many Crooks (1959) – Buy This British Comedy Classic in Color

Experience the riotous fun of Too Many Crooks (1959) in vivid colorized HD. Directed by Mario Zampi, this hilarious British comedy stars Terry-Thomas at his scene-stealing best as a crooked businessman whose gang of bumbling criminals kidnap his wife for ransom — only to discover that the tightwad husband would rather let the kidnappers keep her than pay a single penny. When the humiliated, furious wife takes over the gang and turns them against her own husband, the result is one of the funniest British comedies of the 1950s. Now available as a premium digital download for just €15.00 — DRM-free and yours to keep forever.

Plot Summary

Billy Gordon (Terry-Thomas) is a crooked and magnificently stingy businessman who has made his fortune through sharp practice, tax evasion, and a pathological unwillingness to part with money under any circumstances. His long-suffering wife Lucy (Brenda De Banzie) endures his penny-pinching ways with increasing frustration, but Billy remains blissfully indifferent to her unhappiness as long as his bank balance remains healthy.

A gang of spectacularly incompetent criminals — led by the ambitious but hapless Fingers (George Cole) — has targeted Billy for a series of robberies, each of which has ended in farcical failure thanks to the gang’s extraordinary capacity for bungling even the simplest criminal enterprise. Unable to rob Billy through conventional means, the gang hits upon what they consider a foolproof scheme: kidnap Lucy and demand a substantial ransom for her safe return. Surely even the notoriously tight-fisted Billy will pay to get his wife back.

The kidnapping itself is executed with the gang’s characteristic blend of ambition and incompetence, but they somehow manage to successfully abduct Lucy. Their triumph turns to horrified disbelief when Billy refuses to pay the ransom, cheerfully explaining that he considers the kidnapping the best thing that has ever happened to him — he is finally free of his nagging wife without the expense and inconvenience of divorce. No amount of threatening phone calls, deadline extensions, or reduced demands can persuade Billy to part with his money.

The humiliated and furious Lucy, realising that her husband values his bank account more than her life, makes a spectacular decision: she takes over the gang of kidnappers, transforming them from her captors into her criminal army. Under Lucy’s far more competent leadership, the gang’s criminal capabilities improve dramatically, and she turns their talents against Billy himself — executing a brilliantly planned robbery of his own business that strips him of the fortune he loves more than anything. The film escalates into a hilarious war between husband and wife, each deploying escalating criminal strategies against the other, building to a spectacularly funny climax.

Cast & Crew

Director: Mario Zampi
Stars: Terry-Thomas, George Cole, Brenda De Banzie, Bernard Bresslaw, Sidney James, Joe Melia, Vera Day

Terry-Thomas is superbly funny as the monstrous Billy, his trademark gap-toothed grin and upper-class caddishness perfectly suited to a character of such magnificent awfulness. Brenda De Banzie matches him perfectly as the wronged wife whose transformation from victim to criminal mastermind is both hilarious and deeply satisfying. George Cole and Sidney James provide reliable comic support as the hapless gang members.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

The colourful London settings, the atmospheric criminal hideouts, the elegant suburban homes, and the slapstick action sequences are all delightfully enhanced through expert colorization. The visual comedy — chases, disguises, and farcical set pieces — gains particular vitality in colour, while the contrast between the respectable suburban world and the criminal underworld provides engaging visual comedy. Now also available in colour. Own this uproarious British comedy for €15.00 — a hilarious addition to your classic comedy collection.

Historical Significance

Too Many Crooks represents British comedy at its finest — a tradition of sharp social satire, physical comedy, and brilliant character acting that produced some of the most entertaining films of the 1950s. Terry-Thomas was one of the era’s greatest comic actors, and this film showcases his particular genius for playing magnificent bounders with such charm that audiences laugh with him even while deploring his behaviour. The film’s premise — a wife kidnapped by criminals only to take over the gang when her husband refuses to pay — is brilliantly original and provides a commentary on marital relations that remains funny and relevant. Through colorization, this gem of British comedy has been preserved for modern audiences who appreciate the wit, timing, and inventive plotting that characterise the best of British screen comedy.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 digital download
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Yes – professionally colorized from the original black-and-white
• Audio: Original mono soundtrack
• Runtime: Approximately 85 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes – no restrictions on playback
• Instant download: Available immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Is Terry-Thomas as funny as his reputation suggests?
A: Even funnier. His portrayal of Billy Gordon is a masterclass in comic villainy — his utter lack of shame or conscience is so extreme that it becomes hilarious rather than repellent. The scene where he refuses to pay the ransom, expressing genuine delight at being rid of his wife, is comedy gold.

Q: Does the wife’s takeover of the gang work comedically?
A: Brilliantly. The transformation of Brenda De Banzie’s character from helpless victim to criminal mastermind is the film’s greatest comic invention, and watching the bumbling gang suddenly become effective under her competent leadership provides endless amusement.

Q: Is this film representative of British comedy of the period?
A: Yes, it exemplifies the best qualities of 1950s British comedy — sharp writing, expert comic performances, and a satirical edge beneath the slapstick surface. Fans of Ealing comedies and similar British films will find much to enjoy.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as a high-quality MP4 file in 720p HD resolution, compatible with all major devices and media players.

Q: Is there DRM on this download?
A: No. The download is completely DRM-free, meaning you can watch it on any device without restrictions or expiration dates.

Q: How quickly can I watch after purchasing?
A: Your download link is available immediately after payment. You can start watching within minutes of completing your purchase.

Related Colorized Classics

• School for Scoundrels (1960)
• The Lavender Hill Mob (1951)
• I’m All Right Jack (1959)
• The Naked Truth (1957)
• The Woman in Green (1945)