This is a film based upon a clever idea, but despite throwing Peter Sellers, Bernard Cribbins, Arthur Mullard, and Lionel Jeffries at it, and despite having a script by Galton and Simpson and no less than five other writers tweaking the script, it is a failure. Surprisingly, Nanette Newman, whose purpose is unrelated to the comedy of the film, is the most effective performer, and manages some meaningful menace and allure. Cliff Owen directed. He was a pal of Ray Galton and Alan Simpson (two wonderful guys whom I knew well for a time) and directed their 1972 feature film of STEPTOE AND SON. The idea behind this film is that there is a gang of crooks in police uniforms who rob the crooks who have just done their own robberies. They get tip-offs from Nanette Newman. The real cops can't figure it out at all. So that is all very jolly. But someone needed to pull it off. No, I don't mean the heist, I mean the film. Peter Sellers is not funny at all. But then, he often wasn't. And so there you are.
Review of The Wrong Arm of the Law
