NEVER LET GO

Peter Sellers

NEVER LET GO (1960). Director: John Guillermin.

John Cummings (Richard Todd) is a cosmetics salesman with a wife and children who thinks he might have a chance to really make good now that he owns a car. Unfortunately, his new automobile is stolen by a gang headed by crooked car dealer Lionel Meadows (Peter Sellers). Inspector Thomas (Noel Willman of The Kiss of the Vampire) admits that he couldn't care less about John's car but is out for bigger fish -- bringing down Meadows once and for all will be a cap in his feather. Desperate for his car, and refusing to back down after so many miserable things have happened, including being fired, John infuriates his wife, Anne (Elizabeth Sellars), by going after Meadows and his dangerous gang on his own. Todd [The Hasty Heart] gives a tremendously good performance in this and he is matched by Peter Sellers in a straight dramatic role, playing a nasty character who crushes one underling's fingers and slaps around his girlfriend, Jackie (Carol White). Sellers only chews the scenery in a couple of spots, but is otherwise marvelous. Adam Faith plays Tommy, the unfortunate boy with the damaged hand., and Mervyn Johns [Edward, My Son] has a nice bit as the ill-fated old man, Alfie. It all leads to an exciting climactic battle between the two adversaries.

Verdict: Proof that great actors can do drama as well as comedy. ***.