Die Küchenbullen (1962)

Die Küchenbullen: Directed by Peter Graham Scott. With Ronald Fraser, Paul Massie, Carole Lesley, Dennis Price. James Rainbow is a first time offender sentenced to 12 months imprisonment. Redband, a trusty and Mouse, a diminutive housebreaker take him under their wing.

“This film came first – Porridge came 12 years later and is I think Pot Carriers with jokes and a comic lead – but lacking the intricate and authentic plot and character portrayals of the original. Ronald Fraser is good – if you follow what heu0026#39;s about. Heu0026#39;s proud to be a professional thief and is not sitting out his sentence but boosting his u0026quot;professionalu0026quot; reputation by the neatness of the scams he works inside – to earn him big respect when he comes out. A sunny likable manner, gets on with everyone and apparently keeping his nose clean is earning him maximum remission. Best of all, he and his associates are as they put it u0026quot;Living like Kingsu0026quot; eating better food than the screws who are themselves being paid off from the proceeds to look the other way. The complicated interlocking barter economy is clever and sounds believableu0026gt; Heu0026#39;s neither Bogart nor Ronny Barker – the part doesnt call for either but he dominates the film. Porridge, having seen this, appears something of a rip-off”