the boy who stole a million (1960)

"Stop him!"
12-year-old Paco (Maurice Reyna) works in a Spanish bank, and takes out an unofficial short-term 'loan' so his father can pay a repair bill on his taxi, and earn the money back. But before he can give his father the money, the bank realises it has been robbed and from then on Paco are on the run, not only from the police, but also crooks who want what Paco has.
Simple comedy / drama rises to another level just by setting it in Valencia, and introducing us its poverty and seedy underbelly.

lunch hour (1961)

"Very nice wine."
A girl (Shirley Anne Field) instigates an affair with a married colleague (Robert Stephens), but are constantly interrupted as they only have lunchtimes in which to meet.
An understated comedy that soon goes off the rails.

the impersonator (1960)

"Don't blame yourself for anything yet Jimmy."
A serial killer is on the loose, and US air force Sgt. Jimmy Bradford (John Crawford) is pegged as the man.
Some atmospheric scenes lift this from the mundane, at times.

ladies who do (1963)

"It's uncanny. How does he do it?"
A cleaner (Peggy Mount), lucks onto some insider information, and through her contact The Colonel (Robert Morley), makes a tidy sum. This sets them thinking that if they went in with her fellow cleaners, they could all make some money. Then when she finds out one of her bosses (Harry H. Corbett) has bought her street and plans to knock it down to build flats, the scheme takes on a more earnest turn.
Clichéd look at the East End in 1963, full of self made men determined to 'improve' the lot of the working classes by breaking up communities and scattering them to the winds. But this still proves to be an entertaining comedy, all be it, not one that will have you rolling in the aisles.

calculated risk (1963)

"We've covered it all. Nothing can go wrong."
Kip (John Rutland) leaves prison and already has a job in mind. All he needs is a few hundred quid to fund it. Enter Steve (William Lucas), who rapidly takes over, and plans it meticulously...
Engaging small time drama, but one that lacks any really tension.

the system (1964)

aka The Girl-Getters.
"Darling, if you had a heart of gold, you would have sold it years ago."
Tinker (Oliver Reed) leaders a gang of locals, who prey on holidaymakers who swamp the seaside resort during the summer. Determined to make hay as the sun shines, they live by a system that prevents disputes, and pick off the girls one by one. Enter Nicola (Jane Merrow), and Tinker starts to reassess this life and his future.
Considered a shockingly realistic depiction of sex at the time. No Beach Party style cuddles and songs here, as the protagonists talk openly and act blasé about their sex lives. The angry young man meets the swinging sixties.

the small world of sammy lee (1963)

aka The Small Violent World of Sammy Lee.
"What do you mean you can't accept any more bets from me?"
A compère at a seedy strip club, Sammy Lee (Anthony Newley) is an inveterate gambler. With the subsequent problem of having reached his limit with the bookie, and he want his money, now! Cue Sammy's desperate struggle to keep one step ahead of the bookies heavies whilst wheeling and dealing to make the money he owes.
A film that is packed with early 60's flavour in and around London's Soho district. Based on a BBC play this doesn't sugar coat Sammy or his life, but it's to Newleys credit that you still want him to win out in the end.

girl on approval (1961)

"I'm not staying."
Ann and John Howard (Rachel Roberts & James Maxwell) foster a young, surly, and mistrustful teen (Annette Whiteley), and set about trying to restore her faith in people. A journey that nearly brings them to breaking point.
A fine drama, that doesn't fall into the trap of believing that there are short cuts to a happy family life with foster kids.

girl in the headlines (1963)

aka The Model Girl Murder Case. The Model Murder Case.
Police investigate the murder of a fashion model in 60's London. Initially suspicion falls on television star David Dane (James Villiers), who lives upstairs and seems to have something to hide. As investigations continue they unveil the girl's dissolute live, (featuring illegal activities for the times including abortion and gay clubs), which contrasts with the mundaine lives of the detectives families.
Ian Hendry and Ronald Fraser nicely underplay their parts as they piece together the crime. The inanities of the detectives family lives adds an interesting grounding to the would be film noir and glamourous nightlife of the suspects. Proving not everything in the 60's was a kitchen sink drama, most lived rather uninteresting lives! To some this may make for a dull premise for a film, to me it adds another level. A good film, that makes for interesting if not essential viewing.