Based on Stephen Potter’s popular books about “Lifemanship”, this hit-and-miss comedy just about passes muster thanks to the willing performances of Ian Carmichael and Terry-Thomas.
Born loser Henry Palfrey (Carmichael) decides to take lessons in one-upmanship at the College of Lifemanship (the titular school for scoundrels) when the girl he loves is won over by the caddish Raymond Delauney (Thomas).
There are some amusing moments as Carmichael learns how to “confound a bounder” under the tutelage of Alastair Sim, but director Robert Hamer – best known for the Ealing classic Kind Hearts and Coronets – handles the subtle humour with a heavy hand and fails to knit the various sketches into a convincing whole.
Hamer was fired because of his drinking problems, and the remaining scenes were divvied between producer Hal E. Chester and an uncredited Cyril Frankel.
Henry Palfrey
Ian Carmichael Raymond Delauney
Terry-Thomas Stephen Potter
Alastair Sim April Smith
Janette Scott Dunstan Dorchester
Dennis Price Dudley Dorchester
Peter Jones Gloatbridge
Edward Chapman Mrs Stringer
Irene Handl General
Kynaston Reeves Head waiter
John Le Mesurier Instructor
Hugh Paddick First instructress
Hattie Jacques Second instructress
Barbara Roscoe
Director
Robert Hamer
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Born loser Henry Palfrey (Carmichael) decides to take lessons in one-upmanship at the College of Lifemanship (the titular school for scoundrels) when the girl he loves is won over by the caddish Raymond Delauney (Thomas).
Henry Palfrey
Dunstan Dorchester
Instructor
