The Wrong Arm Of The Law Details

Peter Sellers was never funnier, and for those who think his small-time British comedies amused more than when he went big-time Hollywood this is a joy indeed. Sellers stars as Pearly Gates, a cockney criminal mastermind who uses a West End dress salon as a front for the illegal activities of his inept gang. He's up against Lionel Jeffries as Inspector “Nosey” Parker, whose bungling would give the future Inspector Clouseau a run for his money. Cliff Owen directs the marvellously inventive script with due care and attention as Scotland Yard and Sellers decide to co-operate to apprehend a Bill Kerr-led bunch of Australian crooks posing as policemen. There are a host of familiar faces in support, including Nanette Newman as Sellers's girl, plus a brief appearance by pre-fame Michael Caine.

On the face of it, a TV-style comedy inspired by Ealing Studios, most notably The Lavender Hill Mob. But somehow Owen,... read more on Time Out