As such you could say the comedy is three-fold starting with the fun of these prisoners pulling the wool over everyone's eyes, from alcohol hidden in their room, tobacco plants growing in the garden as well as a pet cat called Strangeways. Crout (Lionel Jeffries) is his replacement.Īs I said part of the charm of 'Two Way Stretch' is that it is an uncomplicated comedy with no hidden agenda or depth just lots of sharp writing. Jenkins (George Woodbridge) is retiring and the strict Chief P.O. The only trouble is that easy going Chief P.O. But with just a few days left till their sentences are over they get a visit from Soapy Stevens (Wilfrid Hyde-White), dressed as a vicar who has the perfect crime the three friends are to break out and pull of a robbery and then return to their cells before anyone notices they are gone. I suppose my love of this comes from growing up watching Ronnie Barker in 'Porridge' because this is very much a predecessor of the popular TV comedy.Īfter almost 3 years inside Dodger, Jelly and Lennie (Peter Sellers, David Lodge and Bernard Cribbins) have it cushy, the milkman sneaks food and drink into them whilst Dodger's attractive girlfriend Ethel (Liz Fraser) distracts the guards on visiting day so that the visitors can pass stuff over the wire to their loved ones. There is also the amusement of a group of prisoners who are gaming the system inside and pull the wool over the Governor and chief's eyes.

There are lots of great British comedies from the 50s and 60s but 'Two Way Stretch' is amongst my favourite because it is uncomplicated, sharply written and features countless well known faces.

Two way stretch 1960