School for Scoundrels

School for Scoundrels - 1960 | 90mins | Comedy | B&W

The Production Team

Director: Robert Hamer.
Producer: Hal E. Chester.
Script: Hal E. Chester and Patricia Moyes. (from the books by Stephen Potter)
Cinematography: Erwin Hillier.
Editing: Richard Best.
Art Direction: Terence Verity.
Make-up Department: Eric Aylott and Polly Young.
Sound Department: Arthur Bradburn.
Music: John Addison.

The Cast

Ian Carmichael - Henry Palfrey
Terry-Thomas - Raymond Delauney
Alastair Sim - Mr. S. Potter
Janette Scott - April Smith
Dennis Price - Dunstan
Peter Jones - Dudley
Edward Chapman - Gloatbridge
John Le Mesurier - Head Waiter
Irene Handl - Mrs. Stringer
Kynaston Reeves - General
Hattie Jacques - First Instructress

Plot Synopsis

In this funny British satire, feeble Henry Palfrey (Ian Carmichael) is one of life’s losers, he's held in disdain by his employees, swindled by two crooked car salesmen, and about to lose April (Janette Scott); the girl of his dreams to wily Raymond Delauney (Terry-Thomas). Annihilation and embarrassment at tennis in front of the lady he loves by Delauney is the final straw – Palfrey must take action. In desperation Palfrey enrols at the College of Lifemanship, where a host of senior experts teach the students the art of ‘one-upmanship’ and ‘gamesmanship.’ After completing his course, Palfrey begins to turn the tables on his love rival and those that have taken advantage of him, while always closely observed by his teacher, Potter (Alastair Sim).