A forgotten British anthology film directed by Graham Stark including seven segments written by notable sitcom writers and comedians, with a host of familiar faces.
‘Avarice’ has Bruce Forsyth as Clayton (pictured above), a chauffeur to a rich man who is required to retrieve a 50p coin that has fallen down a manhole cover.
Cue some slightly tiresome shenanigans. You do get Carry On stars Bernard Bresslaw and Joan Sims in this segment though.
‘Envy’ has Harry Secombe and Carmel Cryan as Stanley and Vera, football pools winners who find the perfect house. The problem? The owners (played by Geoffrey Bayldon and June Whitfield) have no interest in selling.
So Stanley sets to work scheming to make the house their own. Envy is also a little tiresome and not terribly funny.
‘Gluttony’ is better, with Leslie Phillips as Dickie who works for a health food company but craves junk food, which he devours in secret whenever he can. It’s a strange premise but quite compelling in a weird way. Look out for Hammer babe Julie Ege in this story.
‘Lust’ has Harry H Corbett as Ambrose – a man looking for love who ends up in the Tube trying to chat up a bird, who is in the adjoining telephone box.
He pretends they have a crossed line and that he’s an old friend.
Corbett really lifts the material with his performance although the ending is terribly sad and emotionally brutal.
‘Pride’ has Ian Carmichael and Alfie Bass as two stubborn drivers who both refuse to back up when they come to a halt facing each other on a narrow country lane. This is no great shakes and seems to be trying to be a throwback to gentle Ealing style capers of yesteryear.
‘Sloth’ is a silent segment with Spike Milligan all about not being active. It’s watchable but would have outstayed its welcome with a longer running time. Look out for Ronnie Barker, Marty Feldman, Peter Butterworth and Hammer star Madeline Smith.
Finally, ‘Wrath’ has Ronald Fraser and Arthur Howard trying to blow up a park keeper played by Stephen Lewis from On the Buses. This one has an enjoyably dark coda.
Avarice
Clayton
Bruce Forsyth Elsinore
Paul Whitsun-Jones Mr Violet
Bernard Bresslaw Policewoman
Joan Sims Fisherman
Roy Hudd Petrol Station Attendant
Julie Samuel Vanessa
Cheryl Hall Chloe
Suzanne Heath
Envy
Stanley
Harry Secombe Vera
Carmel Cryan Vernon
Geoffrey Bayldon Mildred
June Whitfield
Gluttony
Dickie
Leslie Phillips Ingrid
Julie Ege Doctor
Patrick Newell Woman
Rosemarie Reed Secretary
Sarah Golding Photographer
Bob Guccione Penthouse Pet
Tina McDowall
Lust
Ambrose
Harry H. Corbett Greta
Cheryl Kennedy Cockney Man
Bill Pertwee Charlady
Mary Baxter Blonde
Anouska Hempel Boy Friend
Kenneth Earle ThinGirl
Nicole Yerna Girl with Glasses
Sue Bond Receptionist
Yvonne Paul Dolly Bird Typist
Dawn Beret
Pride
Mr Ferris
Ian Carmichael Mr Spencer
Alfie Bass Mrs Ferris
Audrey Nicholson Mrs Spencer
Sheila Bernette AA Man
Robert Gillespie RAC Man
Keith Smith Policeman
Ivor Dean
Sloth
Tramp
Spike Milligan Porter
Melvyn Hayes Costermonger
Ronnie Brody George
Ronald Fraser Jarvis
Stephen Lewis Kenneth
Arthur Howard Nude Girl
Felicity Devonshire
Cue some slightly tiresome shenanigans. You do get Carry On stars Bernard Bresslaw and Joan Sims in this segment though.
‘Lust’ has Harry H Corbett as Ambrose – a man looking for love who ends up in the Tube trying to chat up a bird, who is in the adjoining telephone box.
‘Sloth’ is a silent segment with Spike Milligan all about not being active. It’s watchable but would have outstayed its welcome with a longer running time. Look out for Ronnie Barker, Marty Feldman, Peter Butterworth and Hammer star Madeline Smith.
