Dodger Lane (Peter Sellers) has it easy in prison thanks to a progressive Governor (Maurice Denham) who sees time spent inside as an opportunity to improve oneself, all the better to contribute to society when they are finally released.
This offers Lane plenty of opportunities to pull the wool over his eyes and those of the warders.
He shares his cell with safe-cracking expert Jelly Knight (David Lodge) and the eager, less experienced Lennie Price (Bernard Cribbins). Together with fake vicar Soapy Stevens (Wilfrid Hyde-White), they come up with a perfect jewel heist.
The idea is that the convicts escape from HM Prison Huntleigh, effect their robbery (relieving a Maharajah of his extensive diamond collection), then return to the prison on an iron-clad alibi. Unfortunately, tough new warden Sidney “Sour” Crout (Lionel Jeffries) throws a spanner in the works.
A simple plot is used to maximum effect in this quaint British caper comedy.
Dodger Lane
Peter Sellers
Lennie Price
Bernard Cribbins
Jelly Knight
David Lodge
Soapy Stevens/Rev Basil Fowler
Wilfrid Hyde-White
Miss Pringle
Beryl Reid
Commander Horatio Bennett RN
Maurice Denham
Mrs Price
Irene Handl
Chief Police Officer Sidney “Sour” Crout
Lionel Jeffries
Chief Police Officer Jenkins
George Woodbridge
Ethel
Liz Fraser
Reverend Patterson
Walter Hudd
Miss Prescott
Noël Hood
Jones
Mario Fabrizi
Colonel Parkright
Thorley Walters
Miss Meakin
Myrette Morven
Warder Charlie
Edwin Brown
Fred
Arthur Mullard
Fred’s wife
Vivienne Martin
Director
Robert Day
