Kill or Cure is a 1962 British comedy film directed by George Pollock and starring Terry-Thomas and Eric Sykes. It was written by David Pursall and Jack Seddon.
Contents
Plot
Captain Jeroboam Barker-Rynde comes to a country hotel to assist a wealthy widow. He endures a nature cure diet and exercises under Rumbelow. When the widow is poisoned, Barker-Rynde and Rumbelow join forces to win a reward offered by hotel manager Crossley. Crossley is next murdered, and the clues point to the original criminal.
Cast
Terry-Thomas as Captain J. (Jeroboam) Barker-Rynde PI
Eric Sykes as Rumbelow
Dennis Price as Dr. Julian Crossley
Lionel Jeffries as Detective Inspector Hook
Moira Redmond as Francis Roitman, Clifford's secretary
Katya Douglas as Rita, Green Glades nurse
David Lodge as Richards, male nurse
Ronnie Barker as Burton, Hook's assistant
Hazel Terry as Mrs. Rachel Crossley
Derren Nesbitt as Roger Forrester (as Derrin Nesbitt)
Harry Locke as Riggins
Arthur Howard as Johnson, Green Glades desk clerk
Tristram Jellinek as assistant clerk
Peter Butterworth as Green Glades barman
Patricia Hayes as Lily, waitress
Anna Russell as Mrs. Margaret Clifford
Mandy as Horatio
Sidney Vivian as Fred, Barker-Rynde's assistant (as Sidney Vyvyan)
Julian Orchard as P.C. Lofthouse
Production
The film was made by MGM's British production arm under Lawrence Bachmann.
Reception
Box office
According to MGM records, the film made a profit of $89,000.
Critical
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Devotees of Terry-Thomas or Eric Sykes may find something to go for in this slapstick farce, and the physiotherapy equipment and the Pekinese also have their moments. Otherwise, however, there is little to distinguish its undemanding humour from that of a multitude of other minor British comedies."
British film critic Leslie Halliwell said: "Flatfooted and unprofessional murder farce whose only pace is slow."
The Radio Times Guide to Films gave the film 1/5 stars, writing: "This is the kind of comedy that could have killed off the British film industry, despite its domestic star-power and the usually reliable writing team of David Pursall and Jack Seddon. When bumbling private detective Terry-Thomas tries to investigate a murder at a posh spa, the only interest is in seeing him lock comedy horns with Eric Sykes and Lionel Jeffries. Unfortunately, it is to little effect."