The Knack... and How to Get It (1965)

A young school teacher tries to master the art of flirtation using his neighbor's skills.

Director:

Richard Lester

Writers:

Charles Wood (screenplay), Ann Jellicoe (play)

Stars:

Rita Tushingham, Ray Brooks, Michael Crawford

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 6 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

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?

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Plot Keywords:

naivete | teacher | british sex comedy | sex comedy | ywca | 

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Taglines:

There's a niche for 'The Knack.'

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film took only four weeks to shoot.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Colin: It's not like that; it's an exaggeration! He has just got a certain success with the ladies - that's all.

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Connections

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

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Soundtracks

Blues And Out
Written by John Barry

User Reviews

What the heck is all the fuss?

Reviewers fell all over themselves to praise this film when it came out. I personally tend to be a sucker for good, wild British comedy. I wanted to believe the reviews.

Why did they lie to me?!? Oh, have no doubt that at the time this was wild and crazy and totally unlike just about anything out there. I can see that in the film and I can also see the whole generation gap thing playing itself out in there as well. I see all that was said to be in there, except for great performances and the wacky comedy.

I shall not try to comment on story or plot. This film doesn't even pretend that those elements matter, and they certainly don't if you should happen to see this movie. You're there for the "event" of the film itself. Other than Rita Tushingham's heavenly eyes and lips, there IS no "event" worth hanging around to see.

This is one of those films that should be viewed only in the context of its place in film history. It fails to survive the passage of time on its own merits. It is merely an interesting curiosity from the 60s.

On another, short note, the soundtrack is incredible. It makes the film worth sitting through.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 July 1965 (France)

Also Known As:

The Knack... and How to Get It

Filming Locations:

1 Melrose Terrace, Hammersmith, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$364,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Woodfall Film Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1