Crooks and Coronets [Sophie’s Place] ** (1969, Telly Savalas, Edith Evans, Warren Oates, Nicky Henson, Cesar Romero, Harry H Corbett, Hattie Jacques) – Classic Movie Review 12,932

The 1969 British crime comedy film Crooks and Coronets [Sophie’s Place] stars an eclectic wealth of talent: Telly Savalas, Edith Evans, Warren Oates, Nicky Henson, Cesar Romero, Harry H Corbett and Hattie Jacques.

Writer/ director Jim O’Connolly’s 1969 British crime comedy film Crooks and Coronets [Sophie’s Place] stars an eclectic wealth of talent, including Telly Savalas, Edith Evans, Warren Oates, Nicky Henson, Cesar Romero, Harry H Corbett, and Hattie Jacques.

American criminal Herbie Haseler (Telly Savalas), his gang leader Nick Marco (Cesar Romero) and English criminal Frank Finley (Harry H Corbett) set out to steal the treasures of eccentric British lady octogenarian Lady Sophie Fitzmore (Edith Evans)’s ancestral home, in Jim O’Connolly’s slow-going, misfire comedy thriller.

The priceless Dame Edith, still spry and peerless in her old age, the engaging support, and the sprightly old aircraft finish make it bearable, and to be fair it has its moments and its charms. The large personalities of the players come over loud and clear, real presences in your life. But, with this cast, it is a missed opportunity.

Also in the cast are Arthur Mullard, Frank Thornton, Thorley Walters, Clive Dunn, Vickery Turner, Jeremy Young, Leslie Dwyer, and David Lodge.

The original title no doubt is intended to recall Kind Hearts and Coronets, a dangerous move. It was renamed in America with the dreadful title of Sophie’s Place.

Harry H Corbett plays Frank Finley. Why didn’t they just cast Frank Finlay?

Jim O’Connolly directed the trash classics Berserk (1967) and The Valley of Gwangi 1969). He is also known as the associate producer of Edgar Wallace Mysteries B-films made at Merton Park Studios in the early 1960s, though he also directed The Hi-Jackers (1963), Smokescreen (1964), Crooks and Coronets (1969) and Tower of Evil (1972), and several episodes of TV’s The Saint, including Vendetta for the Saint (1969), a two-part episode later released as a theatrical film.

Release date: 2 April 1969 (UK).

The cast are Telly Savalas as Herbie Haseler, Edith Evans as Lady Sophie Fitzmore, Warren Oates as Marty Miller, Cesar Romero as Nick Marco, Harry H Corbett as Frank Finley, Nicky Henson as Lord Freddie Fitzmore, Hattie Jacques as Mabel, Vickery Turner as Annie, Arthur Mullard as Perce, Frank Thornton as Cyril, Thorley Walters as Hubbard, Jeremy Young as Reilly, Leslie Dwyer as Henry, Clive Dunn as Basil, David Bauer as Jack, Ivor Dean as Bellows, and David Lodge as police officer.

Crooks and Coronets [Sophie’s Place], is directed by Jim O’Connolly, runs 106 minutes, is made by Herman Cohen Productions, is released by Warner/ Seven Arts, is written by Jim O’Connolly, is shot by Desmond Dickinson, is produced by Herman Cohen, and is scored by Patrick John Scott.

© Derek Winnert 2024 – Classic Movie Review 12,932

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