unusual role for Terry-Thomas smallpox chimp butler death--hidden causeWhen I saw that this movie was about the World Health Organization and infectious diseases, I was surprised, as it stars Terry- Thomas...a man known for his roles in comedies! Regardless, it's a darn fine movie...and does have some comedic aspects.When the film begins, an airliner contacts the tower. Apparently someone aboard is VERY sick and since the plane is coming from overseas, the World Health Organization representative, Archibald Bannister (Terry-Thomas) springs into action to determine if the disease is dangerous and if there is need to panic. Well, the illness turns out to be Smallpox...and it's a matter of time that they discover others infected or bodies could begin piling up! And, eventually, their quest to find the infected even involves stealing a corpse!The film has great characters and an intelligent script. It's an unusual blend of drama, detective work and even a bit of comedy...and it works well.

Terry-Thomas works for WHO. WHO? Yes, WHO. The World Health Organization. He is to find out how an airline passenger had been infected with the smallpox and to root out the possibility of it spreading to others. Who did the gentleman come into contact with, and where had he been? He was traveling with his five-week newlywed wife, and his partner in business, played by Alex Nicol, was to meet him at the airport. But he was transported to the airport hospital, after falling ill. Yes, you heard right - the airport hospital. They have a rather good one. Shirley Eaton, James Bond's "Goldfinger" girl, has a small role, but Terry-Thomas is the whole show with his debonair and charming disposition and wits in getting at the truth. It gets really complicated and involved, but it's so rewarding and funny, especially nearer the end of the film, as he resorts to unscrupulous means for an autopsy. For those WHO love Terry-Thomas and British comedies, I would also recommend "School for Scoundrels," but, as the business here is to say something about WHO, I will simply say it's Terry-Thomas at his dashing best, without the presence of Peter Sellers or anyone else stealing the attention away from one of British film's greatest personalities, Mr. Terry-Thomas. Did I mention the star of the movie is uh, Terry-Thomas?

(Potential Spoilers ahead) Actually the WHO of the Title is the World Health Organization as well as the question as to which person is responsible for a small pox outbreak. Terry Thomas stars as the "germ detective" who stumbles upon a case of small pox on a flight into England. The man who has the disease is a recently married oil man who is returning to England and takes ill on the flight. Quarantined the doctors realize what the deal is and try to track down where he might have caught the disease. However things become complicated and potentially dangerous when two more people elsewhere in Europe come down with the disease. As Thomas tries to track down the common source of the infection (the disease takes two weeks to incubate so its very likely that all three victims have something in common) things become more complicated as people with questionable backgrounds and Arab ministers get brought into the mix.This is a super little mystery that I happened to stumble across by accident. Being a fan of Terry Thomas I decided to give the film a go. Both funny and suspenseful this is a great little thriller that keeps you watching to the very end (I loved that I didn't know where it was going and was glad to just follow along). The joy here is Thomas, who plays WHO's best expendable mind, the guy who knows his stuff, who is constantly fired but always rehired since he knows what he's doing. As one character comments there is more to the man then just his eccentricities. This is a super little film. Its one of those that you need to put on a list and keep an eye for or to do a little digging to find. Its just a great deal of fun.

I haven't seen this movie since it came out in the early 60's, but I've always remembered it as refreshingly unusual, with Terry Thomas as an employee of the World Health Organization who is trying to track down the source of a small, puzzling epidemic of smallpox. He is almost thwarted by big oil money, secrecy, and efforts to cover up criminal acts. (I'm going to see it again soon, however - I found it for sale at CINEMAWEB. If my opinion changes after I've seen it again, I'll change my comments, if your site will allow that.)