British Comedy Guide
The Big Money. Image shows from L to R: Gloria (Belinda Lee), Willie Frith (Ian Carmichael), Lady at The Royalty (Miriam Karlin). Copyright: Rank Organisation
The Big Money

The Big Money

  • 1958 film

Comedy about a small-time thief who becomes caught up in a world of organised crime after stealing a suitcase stuffed with forged £1 notes. Stars Ian Carmichael, Belinda Lee, Kathleen Harrison, Robert Helpmann, James Hayter and more.

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The Big Money. Image shows from L to R: Willie Frith (Ian Carmichael), Gloria (Belinda Lee). Copyright: Rank Organisation

Key details

Genre
Film
Released
1958
Stars
Ian Carmichael, Belinda Lee, Kathleen Harrison, Robert Helpmann, James Hayter, George Coulouris, Renee Houston, Michael Brennan and more
Writers
John Baines and Patrick Campbell
Director
John Paddy Carstairs
Producer
Earl St. John
Company

Willie Frith may be from a family of petty criminals, but with a gentle streak and ever-present clumsiness he just doesn't seem to have the same natural gift for the family trade as his parents or younger siblings. Each with their own area of criminality expertise, from shoplifting to pick-pocketing, Willie is a bag-snatcher who somehow keeps choosing the wrong bag to swipe.

Desperate to return home with a haul to please his overbearing father for once, 20-something Willie grabs the bag of a Reverend at Victoria station - and is delighted upon opening it to discover thousands of pound notes.

His delight quickly turns to frustration as his father notices that the notes have identical serial numbers: useless forgeries that must be burned. Reasoning that he can spend one at a time to avoid detection, Willie refuses to allow the notes' destruction, and his father throws him out.

However, it's not long before the temptation of beautiful blonde barmaid Gloria has him splashing the cash around a little more freely. The windfall gives the normally shy Willie a new-found confidence to win her heart, but that means spending the money in greater quantities.

And the crooks behind the forgeries are certain to want their money back...

Additional details

UK certificate
U
Duration
86 minutes
UK release
Tuesday 10th June 1958
Produced
1956
Distributors

The Rank Organisation

Production
Studio
Camera set-up
Single camera
Picture
Colour
Soundtrack
Music composed and directed by Van Phillips.

Website links

Broadcast details

Most recent repeats
  • Wednesday 11th August 2021 at 4:15pm on TPTV
  • Wednesday 26th May 2021 at 11:55am on TPTV
  • Friday 5th February 2021 at 6:00am on TPTV

Recording details

  • Pinewood Studios

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