Two Way Stretch (1960)

73% of users liked it
(790 ratings)

Peter Sellers stars as an inmate in a "model prison" run by Maurice Denham. Though Sellers is disinclined to escape (he's never been as comfortable in his life), he is convinced to do so by phony vicar Wilfred Hyde-White, who breaks into jail to outline a robbery scheme. Hyde-White's plan is to have… More Peter Sellers stars as an inmate in a "model prison" run by Maurice Denham. Though Sellers is disinclined to escape (he's never been as comfortable in his life), he is convinced to do so by phony vicar Wilfred Hyde-White, who breaks into jail to outline a robbery scheme. Hyde-White's plan is to have Sellers and his cellmates David Lodge and Bernard Cribbins take a brief "vacation" from jail, pull off a big-time robbery, then return undetected to prison, thereby establishing a perfect alibi. Within its 87-minute time span, Two-Way Stretch takes satirical potshots at political bleeding hearts, obese Middle Eastern potentates, and regulation-bound British police officials. One cannot be faulted for wishing that Peter Sellers had stuck to engaging small-scale British farces such as this and had never ventured into such unamusing big-budgeters as The Bobo and There's a Girl in My Soup. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 24 min.
Directed By: Robert Day
Genres: Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Dec 20, 1960 Wide
On DVD: Jan 21, 2003

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Easily forgettable.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Eric B

Delightful, dry comedy with an appeal not unlike a British version of "Hogan's Heroes." The always chipper Wilfred Hyde-White shines even more than Peter Sellers. Alas, the ending is a bit unsatisfying.

Cast

            Peter Sellers as Dodger Lane

            Wilfrid Hyde-White as Soapy Stevens

            David Lodge as Jelly Knight

            Bernard Cribbins as Lennie Price

            Maurice Denham as Comdr. Horatio Bennet

            Lionel Jeffries as Chief P.O. Crout

            Irene Handl as Mrs. Price

            Liz Fraser as Ethel

            Cyril Chamberlain as Gate Warder (Day)

            Edwin Brown as Warder Charlie

            John Glyn-Jones as The Lawyer

            Beryl Reid as Miss Pringle

            Noel Hood as Miss Prescott

            Myrette Morven as Miss Meakin

            Thorley Walters as Col. Parkright

            Walter Hudd as Rev. Patterson

            Joe Gibbons as Dustman

            John Wood as Captain

            Robert James as Police Superintendent

            Mario Fabrizi as Jones

            William Abney as Visiting Room Warder

            Olga Dickie as Woman in Pub

            Wallas Eaton as Night Warder

            Eynon Evans as Solicitor

            John Harvey as Governor Rockhampton Prison

            Warren Mitchell as Tailor

            Arthur Mullard as Fred

            Larry Taylor as Warder at Rockhampton

            John Vivyan as Little Prisoner

            George Woodbridge as Chief P.O. Jenkins

            Ian Wilson as Milkman

            Edward Dentith as Detective

            Andrew Downie as Warder in Prison Garden
See full cast