The Knack ...and How to Get It (1965)

Director:

Richard Lester

Writers:

Charles Wood (screenplay)
Ann Jellicoe (play)

Release Date:

3 June 1965 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

There's a niche for 'The Knack.'

Plot:

In England, the times are a changing: it's mods and rockers. On the day Nancy gets off the London train...

Plot Keywords:

Mods | Swinging London | Based On Play | Independent Film

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 4 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Rita Tushingham	...	Nancy Jones
Ray Brooks	...	Tolen
Michael Crawford	...	Colin
Donal Donnelly	...	Tom
William Dexter	...	Dress Shop Owner
Charles Dyer	...	Man in Photo Booth
Margot Thomas	...	Female Teacher
John Bluthal	...	Angry Father
Helen Lennox	...	Girl in Photo Booth
Wensley Pithey	...	Teacher
Edgar Wreford	...	Man in Phone Booth
Frank Sieman	...	Surveyor
Bruce Lacey	...	Surveyor's Asst.
George Chisholm	...	Left Luggage Porter
Peter Copley	...	Picture Owner

Also Known As:

The Knack... and How to Get It (USA)

Runtime:

UK:85 min | USA:84 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Hong Kong:IIA | Argentina:16 | Canada:14A | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 (video rating) (2004) | UK:X (original rating) | USA:Unrated | West Germany:12 | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

1 Melrose Terrace, Hammersmith, London, England, UK

Company:

Woodfall Film Productions

Trivia:

Ray Brooks rides a 200cc Ariel Arrow with aftermarket "ape hanger" handlebars.

Quotes:

Boy In Classroom: Sir, That hurt, sir. You steaming nit, sir!

Movie Connections:

Spoofs Les parapluies de Cherbourg (1964)

Screwball Sixties Silliness

This is a manic Richard Lester comedy very similar to "A Hard Days Night," and if you liked that movie you'll like this one. It's a somewhat rambling froth-of-life tale about an awkward young man (Michael Crawford) who wants to learn how to pick up girls from his popular housemate (Ray Brooks). Brooks' attempt to instruct Crawford in the mysteries of the knack go hilariously awry when the pair encounter the flighty Rita Tushingham.

I'm a little surprised that this won a Palme d'Or, but it IS very funny in a not-too over-the-top way. It's dramatically superior to contemporary early '60's comedy, and the principals turn in wonderful performances. If you like it, be sure to check out Lester's sunny nonsense "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" and the distinctly darker "How I Won the War."