11 Harrowhouse [1974] [DVD]

Adapted from the novel by Gerald A Browne, this overeager comedy foolhardily attempts to send up a style of film-making that was already parodic the heist caper. Only the bullish playing saves the day, as Aram Avakian's direction is so slipshod that the enterprise has descended into low farce long before the extended chase finale.

Hard though Charles Grodin and Candice Bergen try as the ingenious vacuuming jewel thieves, they're totally outclassed by a venerable supporting cast that includes a deliciously embittered James Mason, a gloriously sniffy John Gielgud and an unashamedly barnstorming Trevor Howard.