hhbooker2-1 Review of School for Scoundrels

School for Scoundrels (2006)

School for Scoundrels equal to the 1960 British original!

[10/10 · 17 September 2006]

School for Scoundrels (2006) with Billy Bob Thornton as as Doctor "P," which starred Alistair Sim (1900-1976) in the role of Mr. S. Potter. Ian Carmichael (1920-) was the original Henry Palfrey, played now by Jon Heder. Terry-Thomas (1911-1990) was Raymond Delauney, this time played by Scot Armstrong. It is said that writer-director Todd Phillips asked for Billy Bob Thorton for the part of the manipulative Dr.P, an instructor at the Learning Annex, A perfect foil was needed for Scot Anderson and Billy Bob Thornton; Billy Bob was considered the "anti-Christ," so they needed an actor who was 180 degrees different, that is when Jon Heder was brought into the picture, he comes across and naive and very nice. There are similarities in both the old film and the newer one; this one mixed broad comedic sequences with loads of heart. The actors were allowed to improvise while on the set. There was a diagram more or less to follow, but as they wanted the actors to be funny, they were asked to be a little more organic about their approach. It is a farce about one of life's losers who enrolled in a school that taught "one-upmanship." Of course it is a secret class taught after hours by a very suave untrustworthy character, Dr.P! He says he can turn mouse-like men into roaring tigers. As in the original where Henry Palfrey (Ian Carmichael) woes April Smith (Janette Scott 1938), Roger (Jon Heder) woes his secret love too! The entire film is funny and keeps you laughing from start to finish and you'll want to buy a DVD of it when they hit the market! Sarge Booker of Tujunga, California