Why, someone must have thought, isn't there a 'crooks anonymous' as you have an alcoholics anonymous as well? That's the premise of this film, in which 'brother' Forsdyke undergoes the program, to win back the heart of his love, Babette la Verne. Forsdyke is forced to go in rehab, to get the criminal instincts out of his veins. He is tortured by booby trapped safes only to look for a cigarette.It is a must-see for fans of British comedy, with a lot of 'I saayyy' and 'sport', witty humor, an unrivalled politeness of the characters and, last but not least, almost invisible sexual innuendo ('You'll get my Christmas present later', says a man when hasty leaving after a kiss).I enjoyed it a lot, thanks to decent comedic acting of Leslie Philips, Wilfird Hyde-White and Stanley Baxter (in a fitting part in which he changes his outfit all the time, as a predecessor of his own TV show that started a year later). Perhaps only Julie Christie, in her first serious role, is a bit of a dissonance. But she would be great in Fahrenheit 451 a couple of years later.Director Ken Annakin made all kinds of films (The Battle of the Bulge, for example), but was really into silly adventure comedies with rather long titles, like Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines or How I Flew from London to Paris in 25 hours 11 minutes and Those Daring Young Men in Their Jaunty Jalopies, all scripts from Jack Davies, as is also this one. Of course, it is all a bit dated now and then, but sometimes I wonder why this kind of innocent comedy has just died out in this day and age. It is almost impossible nowadays to see a film that is not either totally ludicrous, or over-dramatic. That's why we have this problem today that so many comedies are packed with boring melodrama. Not this one though!

Kleptomaniac (Phillips) wants to marry his girlfriend (Christie) but it's conditional on him going straight. After being tempted to pull off a safe cracking job, he's caught in the act and offered salvation via the benevolent guardian angel society known as "Crooks Anonymous" (when you're tempted to offend, just dial "uncrook" for assistance), led by former thief Wilfrid Hyde-White. Phillips proves to be a willing if troubled case, with guardian angel Stanley Baxter ready to test his honesty with ruses that Phillips routinely fails. But it turns out that not everyone is as rehabilitated as they portray.Novel tale is amusing and Phillips is a likable comedian, ably supported by impressionist Baxter, light leading man Michael Medwin and other British notables; Norman Rossington features prominently as a department store night watchman toward the end of the film, and James Robertson Justice is memorable if brief as the store's ill-tempered owner. Her fans should also enjoy seeing fresh-faced Julie Christie in her film debut.No belly laughs or side-splitting antics, but Baxter's impersonations and the set-ups for which Phillips falls are all capable of coaxing a giggle or two if you're in the right mood.

'Crooks Anonymous' was the second of three British comedy films written by Jack Davies, directed by Ken Annakin, and starring Leslie Phillips, Stanley Baxter, and James Robertson Justice. The first was 'Very Important Person' ( 1961 ) and 'The Fast Lady' ( 1963 ) the last. The latter trio also appeared in 'Father Came Too' ( 1964 ), directed by Peter Graham Scott. Robertson Justice was the lead in 'Person', but here Phillips has that honour ( in fact the performer best remembered as 'Sir Lancelot Spratt' of the 'Doctor In The House' films has a tiny role as the bombastic owner of a department store ). Phillips is ex-army officer turned thief 'Dandy Forsdyke'. If it is not nailed down he will take it. He wants more than anything to wed his girlfriend, nightclub singer Babette ( Julie Christie ) but she insists he renounce his lifestyle. He enrols as a member of 'Crooks Anonymous' - a secret organisation similar to 'Alcoholics Anonymous' only instead of curing people of drinking they turn them away from crime. Forsdyke is set tests, usually involving Stanley Baxter ( as the creepy 'Widdowes' ) in various disguises, including a clergyman and an Edith Evans-style Duchess. Just as Forsdyke looks cured, the ultimate temptation comes his way - working as 'Santa Claus' in a department store, he finds he has easy access to its safe and all the takings within. He calls on C.A. for help. But will he get it? 'Crooks' is a nice little comedy, not quite as good as 'Person' or 'Fast' but amusing all the same, almost satirical in tone at times. Phillips is as ever wonderful ( in one of my favourite scenes Forsdyke is in a room full of safes which discharge nasty punishments - such as electric shocks - whenever he opens them ), playing the cad he is known and loved for to the hilt. In the opening scene, he goes into a jewellers and steals a diamond ring, looking very much like 'John Steed' of 'The Avengers' with his bowler hat and umbrella. Coincidentally, the jeweller is a clean-shaved Patrick Newell a.k.a. 'Mother' in the Linda Thorson shows. The idea of an organisation for criminals is a remarkably 'Avengers'-ish one. One of the producers - Julian Wintle - took over production of the hit spy show after it graduated from video-tape to film. It is fair to assume Julie Christie ( future Oscar winner ) does not put this very high on her curriculum vitae, but she acquits herself well. It could not have been easy trying to stand out in a film starring the likes of Phillips and Baxter. Speaking of Stanley, most of his other pictures cast him as one character, but as the creepy 'Widdowes' he gets to do a Peter Sellers and dress up quite a bit. Also around are Wilfrid Hyde-White ( as the head of C.A. ), Harry Fowler, Cardew Robinson, a young Dennis Waterman, Dandy Nichols, Robertson Hare, and Dick Emery.Ken Annakin seemed fond of comedies with large casts - he was also responsible for 'Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines' ( 1965 ) and its sequel 'Monte Carlo Or Bust' ( 1968 ).

This is an old black and white comedy that has not had a high recognition factor tied to it. A basic comedy that is easy to follow, a delight for all ages. Very amusing in parts, especially of Leslie Phillips as Captain Pierrs Oban Forsdyke and Stanley Baxter in a memorable performance as Brother Widdows. Classic!