Retired Major Rayne (Terry Thomas), ex-con Lily (Billie Whitelaw), eccentric dowager Dame Beatrice (Athene Seyler) and disgruntled teacher of etiquette Nanette Parry (Hattie Jacques) are among the peculiar residents of a boarding house who turn into modern-day Robin Hoods, stealing furs for charity.
The plot deals amusingly with all of the bungled fur robberies and the interplay between the eccentric boarding house characters who adopt different disguises for every robbery.
One of the funniest sequences has Terry-Thomas believing he’s stumbled upon a den of thieves and fences so he can sell some of the stolen goods – until he realises the patrons are all members of the Salvation Army.
It’s a first-class British comedy and a great film for star-spotters, for apart from the four principals there’s Ron Moody, Kenneth Williams, Irene Handl, Jack Hedley, Raymond Huntley and even Clement Freud.
Major Rayne
Terry-Thomas Dame Beatrice
Athene Seyler Nanette Parry
Hattie Jacques Lily
Billie Whitelaw Pinkie
Elspeth Duxbury Jim Benham
Jack Hedley Inspector Pape
Raymond Huntley Freddie Warrington
Kenneth Williams Burglar
Noel Purcell Madame Spolinski
Irene Handl Spanager
Sydney Tafler Mrs Spanager
Joan Heal Gertrude
Penny Morrell Jelks
Ron Moody Croupier
Clement Freud
Director
Robert Asher
Video
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The plot deals amusingly with all of the bungled fur robberies and the interplay between the eccentric boarding house characters who adopt different disguises for every robbery.
Major Rayne
