Ask a Policeman

Ask a Policeman

Year: 1939

Runtime: 83 mins

Language: English

Director: Marcel Varnel

Comedy

Police‑Sergeant Samuel Dudfoot and his two constables, Albert Brown and Jeremias Harbottle, launch a comically staged crime‑wave to protect their positions, only to have their contrived scheme collapse when a genuine criminal enterprise emerges, dragging the trio into a real investigation.

Ask a Policeman (1939) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Ask a Policeman (1939) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In a sleepy English countryside where the pace is as gentle as the rolling hills, the tiny Turnbotham Round police station clings to its existence. The village’s thinly stretched authority is more a relic than a force, its very purpose questioned by a looming official review that could seal its fate. The atmosphere is one of quiet desperation tempered by a distinctly British sense of humor, where every knock on the door feels like a potential—if comical—break in the monotony of rural life.

The station’s heart beats through Sergeant Samuel Dudfoot, a well‑meaning but blustering veteran who clings to the traditions of his badge, and his two eager constables, Albert Brown and Jeremias Harbottle. Albert brings a street‑smart swagger that borders on the ridiculous, while Harbottle supplies an endless supply of enthusiastic but often misguided ideas. Their interactions crackle with slap‑stick timing; Dudfoot’s attempts to impose order are constantly undercut by the duo’s chaotic energy, creating a rhythm of good‑natured mayhem that defines the film’s comic core.

When news arrives that the precinct may be shut down for having made no arrests in a decade, the trio decides the only way to prove their worth is to manufacture a crime itself. Their plan, full of exaggerated bravado and earnest improvisation, turns the quiet lanes and modest station into a stage for a deliberately staged crime‑wave. The scheme spirals into a series of farcical hijinks that highlight their determination to keep their jobs, even as they bumble through each contrived “operation” with a mix of ingenuity and utter cluelessness.

Yet beneath the laughter lies an undercurrent of anxiety: the fabricated drama they have set in motion threatens to attract something far less predictable. As they wobble between self‑inflicted spectacle and the thin line separating performance from reality, the film teases a tipping point where their well‑intentioned charade may finally be put to the ultimate test.

Last Updated: December 05, 2025 at 10:07

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Movies with bumbling amateurs like in Ask a Policeman

Comedies about well-meaning but hopelessly clumsy characters stumbling into success.If you enjoyed the clumsy antics of the policemen in Ask a Policeman, you'll love these comedies. This list features movies where hopelessly inept but good-natured characters bumble their way into a real crisis and, against all odds, manage to save the day through a series of comical accidents and unwavering teamwork.

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Stories in this thread typically follow a group or individual who is comically unqualified for the task at hand. They often initiate a foolish plan that backfires, plunging them into a genuine, high-stakes situation. The plot unfolds through a series of escalating, humorous set-pieces where their incompetence creates chaos, but their fundamental decency and doggedness ultimately lead to an unexpected, happy resolution.

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These movies are grouped together because they share a core comedic premise: the endearing failure. The humor stems from the gap between the characters' ambitions and their abilities, creating a light, farcical tone. The pacing is steady, moving from one comedic disaster to the next, and the emotional weight is always light, ensuring a feel-good experience where laughter comes from shared human folly.

Farcical crime capers similar to Ask a Policeman

Gentle comedies where small-scale crime investigations spiral into hilarious chaos.Fans of the gentle humor and rural English setting of Ask a Policeman will enjoy these farcical crime capers. Discover movies where bumbling detectives, quirky small-town crimes, and a complete lack of menace create a uniquely cozy and comedic investigative experience, perfect for a lighthearted watch.

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The narrative pattern involves a seemingly straightforward crime—often something like smuggling or a local nuisance—that is investigated by characters who are more humorous than heroic. The plot is straightforward, focusing on comedic set-pieces and dialogue rather than complex twists. The journey is chaotic and silly, but the resolution is always happy, reinforcing the idea that the world is fundamentally good-natured and order can be restored with a laugh.

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These films are united by their specific blend of genre and tone. They take the structure of a crime story but filter it entirely through a comedic, farcical lens. The pacing is steady, the complexity is low, and the setting is often quaint and nostalgic, creating a 'cozy' vibe that is more about comfort and laughs than thrilling suspense. The focus is on the fun of the process, not the gravity of the crime.

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