Even the presence of comedy legends such as Brian Rix, Leo Franklyn, Naunton Wayne and Irene Handl cannot save this film. Rix starred regularly in theatrical farces, excerpts from many of which proved hugely popular on BBC TV, but his films, often co-starring Franklyn, lacked the same appeal. Quite frankly, the plot of this one is ludicrous even for a farce and as a result, laughs are few and far between. The prison scene during which Rix pretended to be Leo Franklyn's wife, without a hint of suspicion from the warders, was almost beyond belief. A waste of all the talent involved.
5 Reviews
Operation Stopcock
richardchatten6 September 2019
I wouldn't have thought you could take a cast like that and made a film as unfunny as this, but co-producer & star Brian Rix - whose Whitehall Farces (which made the 'Carry On's look like Noel Coward) were incredibly popular on TV when I was a kid - managed it. Even the extensive location work shot in London as it looked in 1960 can't save it.
I recall this being on TV when I was ten, but it had largely disappeared from the schedules by the time I started to take a serious interest in old movies during the seventies, when I would have been swiftly shamed into changing channels; and for once the rest of my family would have been right...!
I recall this being on TV when I was ten, but it had largely disappeared from the schedules by the time I started to take a serious interest in old movies during the seventies, when I would have been swiftly shamed into changing channels; and for once the rest of my family would have been right...!
A painfully, unfunny farce!
geoffm6029530 November 2020
I was never a fan of Brian Rix and the genre of comedies in which he appeared, with this one being no exception, left me stone cold! The ludicrous storyline about Rix, thought to be a safe breaker, but is indeed a plumber, being invited to break into a stately home to create maximum public interest and thus generate income for its penniless owner beggars belief, hence I found myself reaching for the off switch after only half an hour of watching this dross. The comedy scenes rely on the usual interminable, unfunny misunderstandings and gaffes, with the hapless Rix, cast as dopey Wilfred Sapling, going from one mishap to another. It's all very silly and cringeworthy, and despite the film sporting a strong supporting cast of well known actors like Bernard Cribbins, Irene Handl, Naughton Wayne and Terry Scott, the film badly misfires and ends up being a very damp squib.
sentanced to 82 minutes hard labour
malcolmgsw17 November 2019
Criminally underrated movie
ShadeGrenade28 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
'Nothing Barred' was one of several British comedy movies directed by Darcy Conyers; others include 'The Night We Got The Bird' and 'The Night We Dropped A Clanger' ( which also starred Brian Rix ). After reading the sour-faced reviews ( two people say they do not like Brian Rix which begs the question 'why did they bother to watch and review one of his films?' ) here, I'm wondering if we saw the same film. I found it absolutely hilarious. If anyone found it 'unfunny', its their fault, not the film's.
Whitebait Manor is forced to open to the public when 'Lord Whitebait' ( Naunton Wayne ) falls on hard times. Hardly anyone turns up, so His Lordship decides to hire a crook to steal a priceless painting and then claim the insurance. A recently released safebreaker by the name of 'Jim Barger' ( Leo Franklyn ) appears to be the man to recruit. Unfortunately, His Lordship and his man servant 'Spankforth' pick on the wrong man, a naive plumber called 'Wilfred Sapling' ( Brian Rix ). He thinks he is being hired to fix a geyser, not realising he is expected to rob the place. To add to the comic confusion, Barger shows up on the same night and tries to steal the picture. Both men are arrested. Wilfred is released. He decides to get Barger sprung from jail in order to complete the crime...
Written by John Chapman, this is an expertly-constructed farce, well played by all concerned. Not a single character is wasted. Some great comic actors are on view here, such as Terry Scott, Bernard Cribbins, Irene Handl, a young Andrew Sachs, and Jack Watling. 'Coronation Street' star Margot Bryant( Minnie Caldwell ) appears briefly. The film races along from one absurd situation to another. It has aged rather better than the Jacques Tati films that have enjoyed a repeat on Talking Pictures T. V. recently.
Funniest moment - Barger and other crooks, dressed as choir boys, escaping from the prison chapel through a trapdoor and then wandering through a sewer, still singing 'Oh Come All Ye Faithful! A drunken man ( Wilfrid Lawson ) turns on his taps to wash his hands, and the singing reaching his ears!
It would be a crime to miss it!
Whitebait Manor is forced to open to the public when 'Lord Whitebait' ( Naunton Wayne ) falls on hard times. Hardly anyone turns up, so His Lordship decides to hire a crook to steal a priceless painting and then claim the insurance. A recently released safebreaker by the name of 'Jim Barger' ( Leo Franklyn ) appears to be the man to recruit. Unfortunately, His Lordship and his man servant 'Spankforth' pick on the wrong man, a naive plumber called 'Wilfred Sapling' ( Brian Rix ). He thinks he is being hired to fix a geyser, not realising he is expected to rob the place. To add to the comic confusion, Barger shows up on the same night and tries to steal the picture. Both men are arrested. Wilfred is released. He decides to get Barger sprung from jail in order to complete the crime...
Written by John Chapman, this is an expertly-constructed farce, well played by all concerned. Not a single character is wasted. Some great comic actors are on view here, such as Terry Scott, Bernard Cribbins, Irene Handl, a young Andrew Sachs, and Jack Watling. 'Coronation Street' star Margot Bryant( Minnie Caldwell ) appears briefly. The film races along from one absurd situation to another. It has aged rather better than the Jacques Tati films that have enjoyed a repeat on Talking Pictures T. V. recently.
Funniest moment - Barger and other crooks, dressed as choir boys, escaping from the prison chapel through a trapdoor and then wandering through a sewer, still singing 'Oh Come All Ye Faithful! A drunken man ( Wilfrid Lawson ) turns on his taps to wash his hands, and the singing reaching his ears!
It would be a crime to miss it!
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