The Wrong Box (1966)

 ☆ ☆ ☆ ½

The Wrong Box (1966) – B. Forbes

British black comedy that finds John Mills and Ralph Richardson as brothers who are the last surviving members of a “tontine” in the 1880s that will award a generous pay-out to the sole survivor. Richardson is an insufferable bore while Mills is a crazy old coot; they haven’t spoken in 40 years. Naturally, their respective (adopted) children are keen to get their hands on the boodle. Richardson’s kids include Peter Cook and Dudley Moore as well as Nanette Newman. Mills is supported by Michael Caine (and “king of the dramatic pause” butler Wilfrid Lawson). The plot is convoluted as both Richardson and Mills are suspected dead from time to time and their offspring hope to conceal this secret (if true) from the other family. Cook goes so far as to secure a blank death certificate (from dissolute doctor Peter Sellers) for use if Richardson goes first (and the date can therefore be amended). It gets pretty wacky and, of course, might be taken the wrong way by those who see funerals as a sacred rite. Not always laugh out-loud funny but it has its charms in that sly and droll British way.