School for Scoundrels (1960) on Netflix
Henry Palfrey, head of a London family firm, is outmatched by Raymond Delauney, a cad courting April Smith. He signs up at the College of Lifemanship to gain the upper hand.
- Netflix4.3/5
- IMDb7.3/104,360 votes
- Rotten Tomatoes100%
Trailer
Plot summary
Henry Palfrey runs a London family firm, where his senior clerk, Gloatbridge, has more authority than he does and makes the business decisions. Henry falls for April Smith, but on their dinner date a restaurant nearly turns them away, and Raymond Delauney, an acquaintance of his, charms her instead. Wanting to impress April, Henry shops for a car and two second-hand dealers sell him a ramshackle 1924 model. Delauney then suggests a tennis match at the club, which he wins with ease. Despondent, Henry travels to Yeovil and joins the College of Lifemanship, where the principal, S. Potter, believes in staying one up on other people.
Cast
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about School for Scoundrels (1960)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- Director Robert Hamer was sacked during filming because of his drinking, and the film was completed by uncredited Cyril Frankel and producer Hal E. Chester. Hamer never worked in the film industry again and died in 1963.
- The Swiftmobile was built on a 1928 4½ litre Bentley with a custom two-seat open body. The studio sold the car minus its body in 1961 for £50; re-bodied, it fetched £110,000 at a 2003 auction.
- The crooked "Winsome Welshmen" car salesmen Dunstan and Dudley were based on characters from the 1950s BBC radio comedy In All Directions, whose leads were played by Peter Ustinov and Jones. Their catch phrase "Run for it!" was recycled in the film.
- The private members club used as the tennis club location is now a hotel, which hosted a 2016 screening of the film attended by star Janette Scott, who answered questions about its filming.
