1960, Film: School for Scoundrels

The British film comedy "School for Scoundrels" premiered on 24 March 1960. The film was directed by Robert Hamer and written by Patricia Moyes and Hal E. Chester based on the the "Gamesmanship" series of books by Stephen Potter. The main cast includes Ian Carmichael as Henry Palfrey, Terry-Thomas as Raymond Delauney, Janette Scott as April Smith and Alastair Sim as Mr. S. Potter. The film score was composed by John Addison.

Janette Scott as April Smith and Ian Carmichael as Henry Palfrey

Ian Carmichael as Henry Palfrey and Alastair Sim as Mr. S. Potter

Edward Chapman as Gloatbridge

Synopsis
Henry Palfrey, head of a London family firm, travels to Yeovil to enroll at the College of Lifemanship, where principal Mr. S. Potter teaches the art of always staying "one up" on others. Sensing romance at the root of Palfrey’s troubles, Potter asks for his story.

Palfrey admits to feeling like a failure. At work, his senior clerk Gloatbridge commands more authority and makes all the key decisions. Things seemed to improve when he met the charming April Smith and fell in love.

But his hopes were dashed when Raymond Delauney, a suave acquaintance, interrupted their dinner date and quickly charmed April. Trying to compete, Palfrey bought a car to impress her—only to be tricked into purchasing a dilapidated 1924 model. His final humiliation came during a "friendly" tennis match with Delauney, who easily defeated him, leaving Palfrey utterly demoralized...

Janette Scott as April Smith, Terry-Thomas as Raymond Delauney and
Ian Carmichael as Henry Palfrey

Dennis Price as Dunstan Dorchester, Ian Carmichael as Henry Palfrey and
Peter Jones as Dudley Dorchester

Main cast

• Ian Carmichael as Henry Palfrey
• Terry-Thomas as Raymond Delauney
• Alastair Sim as Mr. S. Potter
• Janette Scott as April Smith
• Dennis Price as Dunstan Dorchester
• Peter Jones as Dudley Dorchester
• Edward Chapman as Gloatbridge
• John Le Mesurier as Head Waiter
• Irene Handl as Mrs. Stringer
• Kynaston Reeves as General
• Hattie Jacques as Miss Grimmet, an instructor
• Hugh Paddick as Mr. Pickthorn
• Barbara Roscoe as Barbara
• Gerald Campion as Proudfoot
• Monte Landis as Fleetsnod
• Jeremy Lloyd as Dingle
• Charles Lamb as Carpenter
• Anita Sharp-Bolster as the Maid

John Le Mesurier as Head Waiter, Janette Scott as April Smith and
Ian Carmichael as Henry Palfrey

Ian Carmichael as Henry Palfrey and Alastair Sim as Mr. S. Potter

Trivia

• The 1924 4-litre Swiftmobile bought by Henry Palfrey was a 1928 4½ litre Open four-seater Bentley, with a custom two-seat open body.
• The "Bellini 3.6" driven by Raymond Delauney was, in fact, a disguised Aston Martin DB3S.

The car in front is the Bellini 3.6 with Terry-Thomas as Raymond Delauney and
Janette Scott as April Smith. The car in the back is the Swiftmobile with
Ian Carmichael as Henry Palfrey

Trailer