Too Many Crooks 1959
Directed by
Mario Zampi
Made by
Rank Film Distributors
Plot Summary
Discover the intricate plot of Too Many Crooks (1959). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
As Fingers finds his gang growing increasingly frustrated with his inept leadership, a palpable sense of desperation envelops Sid and the others. The tipping point arrives following a disastrous heist at a fur store, which is merely the latest setback in a series of blunders that have left them doubting Fingers’ ability to lead. In a last-ditch effort to reclaim their footing, Fingers devises a scheme to target businessman William Gordon, spinning a tale to the gang that the police are on their trail. However, the plan takes an unexpected turn when Fingers accidentally kidnaps Gordon’s timid wife, Lucy, instead of his daughter.
As he attempts to negotiate a ransom for Lucy’s release, he encounters unforeseen resistance from Gordon, who is less than eager to pay for his dull and unfaithful spouse. Completely taken aback, Fingers finds himself only offering to let Lucy go for a meager £200, which Gordon flatly refuses.
Feeling fed up with her husband’s infidelities, Lucy decides to take the reins of her own fate. Drawing on her wartime skills in hand-to-hand combat, she boldly confronts the gang and seeks to turn the tables on Gordon, leveraging his tax disputes with the Inland Revenue and his distrust of banks to her advantage. With astute insight into Gordon’s financial woes, Lucy orchestrates a daring heist that ultimately enriches the gang.
As they flee with stolen cash, furs, and jewelry, Lucy makes a swift exit, leaving chaos in her wake. In a final act of defiance, she gifts Gordon a lit cigarette which inadvertently ignites his house. When Gordon returns to find his residence consumed by flames, he dives back into the inferno multiple times in a frantic bid to salvage his possessions.
The following day’s newspaper reveals a shocking murder story, strikingly similar to the crime Fingers had threatened. Gordon leaps to an erroneous conclusion, giving Lucy a perfect chance to deepen her vendetta. She enlists Sid and Fingers to masquerade as police officers investigating her disappearance, successfully extracting more cash from Gordon in exchange for dropping the case.
Just as the gang prepares to claim their bounty, a real inspector from Scotland Yard interrupts the proceedings, igniting Gordon’s anger and raising suspicions about his involvement in Lucy’s vanishing act. As panic takes hold, Fingers decides he must abandon everything and flee the country. His estranged ex-stripper girlfriend presents him with a forged passport for a fresh start. Yet, before he can leave, Fingers feels an urgency to visit his mother, which Lucy accurately perceives as a last-ditch effort to secure a final stash of cash.
When the gang arrives at Gordon’s home, they find him hurriedly packing a suitcase, raising doubts about his motives. As the police questions escalate, Fingers seizes the opportunity to snatch the suitcase containing £50,000, making a quick getaway while leaving Gordon too intimidated to fight back. However, unbeknownst to Fingers, Lucy is about to discover her now-broke husband, completely oblivious to the unfolding chaos.
As Fingers and his crew prepare to indulge in their spoils, choosing to keep everything for themselves and excluding Lucy, fate has different plans. In a moment of oversight, the suitcase bursts open, sending the £50,000 spilling across the road, leaving the gang entirely unaware of the repercussions of their greedy choices.
Timeline
Track the key events of Too Many Crooks (1959) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Fingers' Inept Leadership
Fingers finds his gang increasingly frustrated with his inability to lead effectively. Their dissatisfaction grows after a series of blunders culminates in a disastrous heist at a fur store, resulting in doubt about his leadership.
The Failed Heist
The gang's latest attempt at theft ends poorly, causing further discontent among its members. This failure serves as a significant turning point, pushing the gang to question their loyalty to Fingers.
The Kidnapping Incident
In a desperate bid to regain the gang's confidence, Fingers mistakenly kidnaps William Gordon's timid wife, Lucy, rather than his daughter as intended. This blunder adds to the chaos surrounding the gang as they navigate the unexpected consequences.
The Ransom Negotiations
Fingers attempts to negotiate a ransom for Lucy's release, but William Gordon proves resistant to the idea. At first offering only £200 as a ransom, Fingers faces humiliating rejection from Gordon, who dismisses his wife's worth.
Lucy Takes Control
Fed up with her husband's infidelities, Lucy decides to take charge of her own fate and employs her wartime combat skills. She cleverly plans to exploit Gordon's financial troubles to turn the situation to her advantage.
Orchestrating the Heist
Utilizing her insight into Gordon's tax disputes, Lucy devises a heist that unexpectedly enriches the gang. This plan highlights her resourcefulness and ability to manipulate the situation to serve her interests.
Chaos and Escape
As the gang successfully flees with their stolen loot, Lucy makes a swift exit and leaves a trail of chaos. In an act of rebellion, she gifts Gordon a lit cigarette that sets his house ablaze.
Gordon's Desperate Search
Returning home to find his house consumed in flames, Gordon frantically dives back into the inferno multiple times to save his possessions. This desperate act illustrates his attachments and frantic mindset amidst the confusion.
The Newspaper Revelation
The next day, a newspaper headline features a murder story eerily similar to Fingers' previous threats. This startling news allows Lucy to further manipulate her situation and Gordon's paranoia.
Fingers and Sid's Deception
Lucy enlists Fingers and Sid to pretend to be police investigating her supposed disappearance. Their masquerade leads Gordon to part with more cash to avoid further complications, deepening the intrigue around Lucy's fate.
Police Interruption
Just as the gang is ready to collect their bounty, a real inspector from Scotland Yard arrives, sparking chaos. This unexpected twist raises suspicions about Gordon's involvement and thrusts the gang further into turmoil.
Fingers Plans to Flee
With panic surrounding them, Fingers resolves to escape the situation and flee the country. His ex-stripper girlfriend provides him with a forged passport, giving him a chance for a fresh start as he seeks to escape the chaos.
The Last Visit
Before leaving, Fingers feels a strong urge to visit his mother, which Lucy accurately interprets as a last-ditch attempt to secure extra cash. This highlights the complexities of their relationships and the motivations driving their actions.
The Suitcase Heist
Upon arriving at Gordon's home, Fingers seizes the opportunity to snatch a suitcase containing £50,000. This impulsive action signifies a turning point, as desperation drives the characters to make reckless decisions.
The Spilled Fortune
As Fingers and the gang prepare to revel in their ill-gotten gains, they inadvertently spill the £50,000 across the road. This dramatic moment serves as a metaphor for their greed and foreshadows the consequences their choices will unleash.
Characters
Meet the characters that bring Too Many Crooks (1959) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Fingers
Fingers is portrayed as an inept leader whose poor decision-making skills lead his gang into a series of unfortunate events. His desperation culminates in a misguided kidnapping, showcasing both his criminal aspirations and his comedic ineptitude. Despite his shortcomings, he tries to maintain control over the gang as their frustrations mount.
Sid
Sid is one of Fingers' disillusioned gang members who feels the mounting pressures of their disastrous criminal endeavors. His character reflects the frustrations shared by the gang as they struggle with Fingers' leadership. As the plot thickens, Sid's decisions contribute to the ongoing chaos.
Lucy
Lucy is the cunning and resourceful wife of businessman William Gordon who takes control of her situation after being inadvertently kidnapped. Drawing from her wartime training, she boldly confronts the gang and plays a pivotal role in orchestrating the film's climax. Her character embodies empowerment and serves as a catalyst for the story.
William Gordon
William Gordon is depicted as a reluctant criminal figure, more interested in saving face than paying ransom for his wife's return. His obliviousness to the chaos around him exemplifies the absurdity of the situation, adding a layer of comedy while highlighting his financial troubles, which Lucy expertly exploits.
Setting
Uncover the settings of Too Many Crooks (1959), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
The movie likely takes place in a contemporary setting reflective of the mid-20th century, possibly during the post-war era when crime and economic discrepancies were on the rise. This period is known for its social changes and could contribute to the motivations and narratives around financial struggles seen in the film. The characters' actions give insights into the dynamics of crime and morality in society during this time.
Location
Unknown City
The film takes place in an urban environment, characterized by its bustling streets and various establishments, including a fur store and the residence of businessman William Gordon. This city backdrop serves as a canvas for the comic misadventures of Fingers and his gang as they navigate the criminal underworld. The setting is essential for heightening the tension and chaos that ensues throughout the plot.
Themes
Explore the core themes of Too Many Crooks (1959). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
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Greed
Greed drives Fingers and his gang to engage in increasingly desperate and ludicrous criminal activities. Their fixation on wealth ultimately leads to their downfall, as their selfish choices create chaos. The theme is underscored by Lucy's clever manipulation and her ultimate control over the situation.
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Empowerment
Lucy exemplifies empowerment as she takes charge of her own fate amidst her husband's inadequacies. Drawing on her skills, she outsmarts the gang and turns the tables on her husband, highlighting themes of female agency. This empowerment is pivotal in resolving the conflict and showcases her ability to navigate a male-dominated narrative.
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Chaos
The film illustrates chaos as Fingers' plans continuously unravel, leading to unexpected twists and comedic outcomes. The ensuing pandemonium after the botched kidnapping illuminates the unpredictable nature of crime, ultimately causing substantial fallout for all involved. This theme is accentuated by the comic elements woven into the disastrous events.
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