The Knack... and How to Get It

The Knack... and How to Get It (1965)

  • 78% of critics liked it
    (9 reviews)

  • 68% of users liked it
    (1,122 ratings)

Colin (Michael Crawford, who much later won a Tony Award for his role in Broadway's Phantom of the Opera) is an uptight schoolteacher whose housemate, Tolen (Ray Brooks) is a consummate womanizer. Colin imagines a long line of young women in tight white sweaters on his stairwell, waiting to get… More

Unrated,
Directed By
Written By
Charles Wood, Ann Jellicoe
Genres
Art House & International, Comedy
In Theaters
Jan 1, 1965 Wide
MGM

Critic Reviews

  • Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion

    Lester's kooky-fey take on British alienation makes the Carry On movies look like Losey's The Servant

  • Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

    Embarrassingly crude and dated Swinging Sixties tale.

  • Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

    Everything about the film feels genuine and uncalculated, and it finally comes across as one joyous celebration of life and of being alive.

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • AJ V


    Poor Michael Crawford needs help from his friend to get a girlfriend, at least he thinks he needs help. This movie is pretty funny most of the time, but it's not all that interesting, it's just entertaining.

  • Pierluigi P


    Lively and extravagant sexual satire. Richard Lester's trademark blend of cinematic anarchism, surrealistic sketches and slap-stick comedy come perfectly in the backdrop of the swinging sixties London and its hedonistic inhabitants: mods and rockers coexisting with hostile… More

  • Robert C


    A quirky film, full of fun and silliness "swinging 60's" style! It has a Benny Hill meets Austin Powers sort of feel to it. As a fan of Ms. Tushingham I'll admit that my feelings are a little biased, but she is definately the glue here. Though the rest of the… More

  • Lafe F


    A group of young adults learn about love, life and fun in Black & White 1965 London. Tolen is a womanizer. Rita Tushingham is a woman. We also have good Colin and Tom. The dialogue is snappy and wild, often interjected with comments on the side by random citizens. The scenes where… More

  • Emily B


    Very much a product of it's time, which is probably why I found it produced smiles rather than full on laughs. That being said it still manages to be rather charming and enjoyable. Richard Lester does a good job directing, continuing the style of "A Hard Day's… More

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Cast

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