School for Scoundrels (1960)

A waste of 90 minutes of my life

It's an amazing and heartbreaking story.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

In a sense School For Scoundrels was years ahead of its time because today what Alastair Sim was be doing would be called motivational speaking. I'd hate to think what he could be charging today for his self improvement lectures. Ian Carmichael has some self esteem issues, he just thinks he's a loser in the game of life. Most especially a pretty girl he literally ran into played by Janette Scott is being given a first class rush by that cad Terry-Thomas.I think you can figure what happens after Carmichael takes a few courses at Sim's College of Oneupmanship. Just see the two contrasting tennis games that are played by the rivals.Terry-Thomas with that rakish mustache is so perfect when burlesques Snidely Whiplash like villains on the screen. And Norman Vincent Peale might have approved of Sim's take on the power of positive thinking. Not exactly what Peale had in mind, but much more fun.

Just out of curiosity, I clicked-up the 'Hated It' section; it came up 'no matches'. Well - after all, who could hate it? Ian Carmicheal plays the underdog, Palfrey, with no confidence in himself yet a steadfast belief in following the rules. He is the sort of bloke who gave Britain its reputation for being 'decent' whilst simultaneously contributing to its downfall in a world where decency has no place.His circumstances are brought into provocative contrast by Terry Thomas's caddish Delauney who will do almost anything to win out. But when a lady is in the game; Palfrey has cause to rethink. He signs-up for a course in 'Lifemanship' at a Yeovil college, and soon begins to turn the tables.This is the kind of quietly subtle comedy at which Britain used to excel during the 1950's & 60's. There's not a wasted second, word, or expression. Terry Thomas plays the cad-extraordinaire; he was surely born to the role and featured in it frequently. His lingering and impoverished death was all the more tragic.This movie is a great comic watch, but also has a great deal to teach. Notably, it's a warning; don't be too good in a world that doesn't value goodness.

I have never seen the American "School for Scoundrels" and assume it's a remake of this wonderful British film. However, if it IS, then there is no reason for the remake, as I was thoroughly captivated by this little film. Of course, in recent years Hollywood has tried remaking some of the classic British comedies of the 1950s and failed miserably. Big casts and expensive gimmicks can't improve on a wonderful Brit-com from this era.The film starts with poor Ian Carmichael. He's a very mousy "nice" sort of person--and a bit of a loser. He seems to always be taken advantage of and is a sad case. When fast-talking Terry-Thomas takes Ian's girlfriend away as well as his self-respect, Ian is desperate to change his life. On a whim, he decides to attend a school that promises to help him learn to stand up for himself and get the most out of life. However, the school (owned by Alistair Sim) really teaches people to manipulate others and use trickery to get what you want. Ian turns out to be a model pupil and is soon using insincerity with the skill of a politician.Soon, Ian tries out his new skills on a used car lot (this is hilarious) as well as to get his girl back--and to give Terry-Thomas his comeuppance. It's all very funny but not in a very obvious way--with a subtle and cute manner that you can't help but like. On top of that, the actors and writers are at their best and the film ends on a funny note. Well worth seeing.

Humilliated in sport,losing his girl to a cad, and always taken advantage of-Henry Palfrey decides enough is enough and enrols himself at the College Of Lifemanship to learn self improvement strategies.School For Scoundrels is inspired by a trio of parody self-help books written by Stephen Potter called Gamesmanship, Lifemanship & Oneupmanship, with the subsequent result being a deftly charming satire backed up with very knowing comedy. Taking the lead role of Henry Palfrey is Ian Carmichael, tho a star of many funny and successful British comedies, Carmichael is not someone I would normally term as a confident leading man, but here he does well and I think that is probably down to having the ebullient Terry-Thomas to feed off. Terry-Thomas is here in full caddish rapscallion mode as Henry's love rival Raymond Delauney, a devilishly funny character who firmly has us begging Henry to get the better of him come the end. Some delightful laughs to be had here, from the duos tennis matches, to Henry's turning of the tables on an unscrupulous car salesmen. School For Scoundrels is never ever less than a funny movie.However the film is far from perfect, Alistair Sim isn't given that much to do as Henry's mentor, Professor Stephen Potter, and this ultimately feels like a wasted opportunity. The direction is also pretty patchy, which when I delved further is sadly understandable. Robert Hamer was the perfect choice to direct because nestling on his CV is the majestic Kind Hearts And Coronets. But Hamer was fired shortly after filming began after lapsing back into alcoholism {he would die three years later}, so the film was completed by Hal Chester and Cyril Frankel.Frayed edges aside tho, School For Soudrels still holds up well today, and when one witnesses the poor standard of the 2006 remake, this 1960 offering is something of a comedic gem to be cherished forever and always.Hard cheese old boy 8/10