Too Many Crooks

Too Many Crooks

Year: 1959

Runtime: 87 min

Language: English

Director: Mario Zampi

ComedyCrime

A charismatic but hapless leader named Fingers guides a bumbling group of thieves attempting to steal from the wealthy Bill Gordon. Their plans quickly go awry when they mistakenly kidnap Gordon's wife instead of his daughter. This error sets off a series of increasingly chaotic and humorous events as the thieves struggle to manage their predicament and evade capture, leading to a laugh-out-loud adventure.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Too Many Crooks yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Too Many Crooks (1959)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Too Many Crooks (1959). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The movie likely takes place in a contemporary setting reflective of the mid-20th century, possibly during the post-war era when crime and economic discrepancies were on the rise. This period is known for its social changes and could contribute to the motivations and narratives around financial struggles seen in the film. The characters' actions give insights into the dynamics of crime and morality in society during this time.

Location

Unknown City

The film takes place in an urban environment, characterized by its bustling streets and various establishments, including a fur store and the residence of businessman William Gordon. This city backdrop serves as a canvas for the comic misadventures of Fingers and his gang as they navigate the criminal underworld. The setting is essential for heightening the tension and chaos that ensues throughout the plot.

🏙️ City 🛍️ Shopping 🚓 Crime

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:14

Main Characters – Too Many Crooks (1959)

Meet the key characters of Too Many Crooks (1959), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Fingers

Fingers is portrayed as an inept leader whose poor decision-making skills lead his gang into a series of unfortunate events. His desperation culminates in a misguided kidnapping, showcasing both his criminal aspirations and his comedic ineptitude. Despite his shortcomings, he tries to maintain control over the gang as their frustrations mount.

🦹‍♂️ Criminal 🤦‍♂️ Ineptitude 🤔 Desperation

Sid

Sid is one of Fingers' disillusioned gang members who feels the mounting pressures of their disastrous criminal endeavors. His character reflects the frustrations shared by the gang as they struggle with Fingers' leadership. As the plot thickens, Sid's decisions contribute to the ongoing chaos.

😟 Frustration 🤝 Loyalty 💔 Disillusionment

Lucy

Lucy is the cunning and resourceful wife of businessman William Gordon who takes control of her situation after being inadvertently kidnapped. Drawing from her wartime training, she boldly confronts the gang and plays a pivotal role in orchestrating the film's climax. Her character embodies empowerment and serves as a catalyst for the story.

👩‍🎤 Empowerment ⚔️ Combat Skills 🔄 Manipulation

William Gordon

William Gordon is depicted as a reluctant criminal figure, more interested in saving face than paying ransom for his wife's return. His obliviousness to the chaos around him exemplifies the absurdity of the situation, adding a layer of comedy while highlighting his financial troubles, which Lucy expertly exploits.

💼 Businessman 🥵 Stressed 🚪 Oblivious

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:14

Major Themes – Too Many Crooks (1959)

Explore the central themes of Too Many Crooks (1959), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💰 Greed

Greed drives Fingers and his gang to engage in increasingly desperate and ludicrous criminal activities. Their fixation on wealth ultimately leads to their downfall, as their selfish choices create chaos. The theme is underscored by Lucy's clever manipulation and her ultimate control over the situation.

👩‍🎤 Empowerment

Lucy exemplifies empowerment as she takes charge of her own fate amidst her husband's inadequacies. Drawing on her skills, she outsmarts the gang and turns the tables on her husband, highlighting themes of female agency. This empowerment is pivotal in resolving the conflict and showcases her ability to navigate a male-dominated narrative.

🔥 Chaos

The film illustrates chaos as Fingers' plans continuously unravel, leading to unexpected twists and comedic outcomes. The ensuing pandemonium after the botched kidnapping illuminates the unpredictable nature of crime, ultimately causing substantial fallout for all involved. This theme is accentuated by the comic elements woven into the disastrous events.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:14

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Comedic Crime Farce movies like Too Many Crooks

Stories of hopeless heists where everything goes hilariously wrong.If you enjoyed the chaotic hijinks of Too Many Crooks, you'll love these other movies featuring bumbling criminals and failed heists. This collection is perfect for fans of lighthearted comedies where plans backfire in the most amusing ways, delivering laugh-out-loud adventures with a similar fast-paced, farcical energy.

farcicalchaoticbumblingplayfulmischievousslapsticklightheartedescalating

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically involves a simple but flawed plan, often a heist or scheme, that immediately goes awry due to the characters' incompetence. This initial mistake triggers a domino effect of increasingly chaotic and humorous complications, leading to a climax where the original goal is entirely subverted by the sheer weight of their bumbling.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here based on their shared focus on humorous failure, light tone, and the specific archetype of the incompetent criminal. The experience is defined by fast-paced comedic pacing, low emotional stakes, and a sense of playful mischief as plans hilariously unravel.

Movies with clever role reversals like in Too Many Crooks

Stories where the supposed victim turns the tables with clever wit.Fans of Too Many Crooks will appreciate these movies where the tables are turned on the antagonists. If you liked seeing Lucy Gordon outsmart the bumbling thieves, explore these stories of cunning comebacks and satisfying role reversals, all sharing a playful and mischievous tone with similar narrative twists.

cunningsatisfyingplayfulmischievouscleverunderdogrevengecomeuppance

Narrative Summary

The pattern begins with an established power imbalance, where one group or individual has the upper hand. A pivotal mistake or underestimation by the dominant party allows the seemingly weaker character to reveal their hidden cunning. The rest of the story follows their clever manipulation of events, leading to a comeuppance for the initial antagonists.

Why These Movies?

These films share a core narrative structure of a clever reversal of fortune. They are united by a playful, mischievous mood where the audience roots for the underdog's intelligence over brute force or initial advantage, resulting in a satisfying and often humorous conclusion.

Unlock the Full Story of Too Many Crooks

Don't stop at just watching — explore Too Many Crooks in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Too Many Crooks is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Too Many Crooks Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Too Many Crooks, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Too Many Crooks Summary

Too Many Crooks Timeline

Track the full timeline of Too Many Crooks with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Too Many Crooks Timeline

Too Many Crooks Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Too Many Crooks that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Too Many Crooks Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Too Many Crooks

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Too Many Crooks: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Too Many Crooks