When this film was first released, I should imagine that most cinema goers would have found Peter Sellers's portrayal of a cruel, ruthless and violent villain - part of London's Underworld - difficult to accept, when they were so used to experiencing examples of his comedy genius when listening to The Goon Show, and going to see films such as: I'm Alright Jack; Up The Creek; and The Pink Panther.
I should also imagine that cinema goers of that era would have found it difficult accept Richard Todd's portrayal of the meek and mild, unassuming character of a dejected, cosmetics salesman, after seeing him as a tough guy in such films as the Dam Busters, Yangtze Incident and Rob Roy.
However, Richard Todd was quite a bankable star in the 1950s and early 1960s and - when he would have been more suited to the tougher role of the police inspector - giving him star billing and a bigger part in the film was probably what would have dragged people into the cinemas. However, I could not have imagined any other star in the role.
A lot of critics say that Peter Sellers was oddly miscast in this film, but I could not imagine anyone else in this part, either. To tell you the truth, the character he played was portrayed as being so despicable that I had to keep watching in the hope that he would get his "comeuppance" in the end.
I have just managed to catch up with this film on Talking Pictures and thought that it was, undeniably, a very good film.
I enjoyed it - 10 out 10.
3 out of 5 found this helpful