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The Knack... and How to Get It (1965)

The Knack ...and How to Get It (original title)
Approved | | Comedy | 7 July 1965 (France)
The Knack... and How to Get It Poster
Cool, sophisticated Tolen (Ray Brooks) has a monopoly on womanizing - with a long like of conquests to prove it - while the naïve, awkward Colin (Michael Crawford) desperately wants a piece... See full summary »

Director:

Richard Lester

Writers:

Charles Wood (screenplay), Ann Jellicoe (play)

Stars:

Rita Tushingham, Ray Brooks, Michael Crawford | See full cast & crew »
Reviews

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Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 6 wins & 7 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

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

Storyline

Cool, sophisticated Tolen (Ray Brooks) has a monopoly on womanizing - with a long like of conquests to prove it - while the naïve, awkward Colin (Michael Crawford) desperately wants a piece of it. But when Colin falls for an innocent country girl (Rita Tushingham), it's not long before the self-assured Tolen moves in for the kill. Is all fair in love and war, or can Colin get the the knack and beat Tolen at his own game? Written by Noel Kardaris

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

ywca | bed | mods | british new wave | mod | See All (34) »

Taglines:

Some have it, Some Don't. See more »

Genres:

Comedy

Certificate:

Approved | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
Edit

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 July 1965 (France) See more »

Also Known As:

The Knack... and How to Get It See more »

Filming Locations:

1 Melrose Terrace, Hammersmith, London, England, UK See more »
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Box Office

Budget:

$364,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$8,000,000, 31 January 1970
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Woodfall Film Productions See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The play is a much straighter affair. When Richard Lester came on board, he added his own unique touches such as straight-to-camera direct addresses, humorous subtitles and a Greek chorus of disapproving members of "the older generation". See more »

Quotes

Nancy Jones: Rape!
Woman in House: Not today thank you.
See more »

Connections

Featured in The Many Faces of...: Michael Crawford (2013) See more »

Soundtracks

Here Comes Nancy Now!
Written by John Barry
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Screwball Sixties Silliness
30 July 2003 | by andyetris – See all my reviews

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."
15 of 22 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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