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How to Murder a Rich Uncle

How to Murder a Rich Uncle

  • Status: Released
  • 01-06-1957
  • Runtime: 79 min
  • Score: 6.7
  • Vote count: 7

A broke British nobleman targets his Canadian uncle, but other relatives get in the way.

Nigel Patrick

Henry Clitterbern

Charles Coburn

Uncle George Clitterbern

Wendy Hiller

Edith Clitterbern

Katie Johnson

Alice

Anthony Newley

Edward

Athene Seyler

Grannie (Victoria Clitterbern)

Noel Hood

Aunt Marjorie

Kenneth Fortescue

Albert Clitterbern

Paddy Webster

Constance Clitterbern

Michael Caine

Gilrony

Trevor Reid

Inspector

Cyril Luckham

Coroner

Johnson Bayly

Radio Officer

Martin Boddey

Police Sergeant

Kevin Stoney

Bar Steward

Anthony Shaw

Colonial Type

Ian Wilson

Postman

Jack Mandeville

Reporter at Inquest (uncredited)

Tony Castleton

Reporter at Inquest (uncredited)

CinemaSerf

Nigel Patrick and John Paxton have done quite a neat job with Daix' play about an uncle - in this version, a wealthy Canadian - called "George" (Charles Coburn) who comes to Britain to visit his landed, but impoverished family headed by Patrick ("Sir Henry"). The family see this as in ideal opportunity to sort their finances out, and that means that their unsuspecting guest could be in quite a bit of peril! Except, that is, that the would-be assassins couldn't organise the proverbial piss-up in the brewery - indeed their efforts to relieve the old man of his life and his fortune have far more profound effects on their own family. Soon it starts to diminish quite rapidly as their cock-eyed schemes go awry with disastrously lethal results. At this rate, there won't be anyone left to inherit - except, perhaps, the sagely old Katie Johnson who knows where the secrets (and the bottles of wine) are kept... It's a fun story this. Patrick and Coburn work well together, with a strong supporting cast from Wendy Hiller, Anthony Newley and the eagle eyed amongst us might spot Micael Caine (just 24). The production isn't up to very much, it has to be said - but the plot holds together well, with some decent comedic moments and a rather fitting, quirky, ending that I quite enjoyed.