Nick Dando

For fans of this film there is an interesting programme this morning (short notice I know) on BBC Radio 4.

The Scoundrels' Return
A History of Lifemanship
Monday 10 December 2007 11:30-12:00 (Radio 4 FM)

George Poles's comedy, adapted from the Upmanship books by Stephen Potter, revisits the infamous School for Scoundrels, which taught the most deliciously caddish ways to get one-up in any given situation.

With Colin Baker, Ian Carmichael, Paul Darrow, Lewis Macleod, Michael Maloney, Tracy Wiles, Richard Wilson

Ian Carmichael revisits School for Scoundrels which taught the most deliciously caddish of ways to get "one-up" in any situation.

I'm recording this.

Nick

Dame Starry

I'll listen to that later on the website.
Thanks, Nick.

Starry x.

The Christmas countdown has begun - don't leave it all until the last minute!

samkydd

Unfortunately I missed this at the time, but this morning the birds got me up at 5a.m. so I watched the film on DVD.

It is a very enjoyable comedy but for me I think a few more oneupmanship ploys would have rounded it off nicely e.g. the stuffy Maitre D played by John Le Mesurier needed bringing down a peg or two after Palfrey's first visit to the restaurant. The car salesmen Dennis Price and Peter Jones were great characters and I would like to have seen a bit more of them and their dodgy behaviour being brought to book.

Ian Carmichael is perfect in this sort of film, and I think Terry-Thomas probably had 'bounder' or 'cad' on his passport under 'Occupation'.

I've heard that a remake is on the cards, but remakes rarely come close to the original, especially if the US gets involved. It's a classic British black and white 50s comedy film and should be respected and enjoyed by everyone.

"...the chairman of Littlewoods stores made a Keynote speech!"

EHV_Emmetts

I thought an US remake has already been recently shown?

john audley

A truly brilliant script

I do feel that Terry Thomas made a big mistake with his role in Mad Mad Mad Mad World

'You should be kind to us normals, there are not many of us left you know'!

EHV_Emmetts

Alastair Sim gives a wonderful performance. I like his monologue to the camera at the end of the film where we can see the hairs emanating from his earholes.

Steve Crook

It was, in 2006, and it sunk with hardly a trace
It cost them $20m to make and I think it's still struggling to recoup that.

Maybe they'll eventually get the message that remakes of the classics rarely work

Steve

samkydd

Having seen your IMDB link to the remake it just looks like a pile of kack without me having to see the actual film to confirm it!

At school copying was always cheating, and as cheats never prosper then it's only fair that they lose $20 million dollars!

"...the chairman of Littlewoods stores made a Keynote speech!"

EHV_Emmetts

I hear that there is talk of a remake of 'The Lavendar Hill Mob'.

Windthrop

There have been talks about various Ealing/Uk remakes over the years. The LadyKillers and School For Scoundrels are examples of why it shouldn't be done.

Thats the joke that killed the Music Hall !

CaptainWaggett

There was a rumour for years of an Eddie Murphy Kind Hearts and Coronets

EHV_Emmetts

Didn't the Americans recently do their remake of 'The Lady Killers' which featured Tom Hanks?

EHV_Emmetts

OMG!!!!

Steve Crook

It's been "In development" since 2006. Let's hope that's as far as it gets

Steve

funlover

Remakes are VERY rarely as good as the originals.