Salute the Toff

Aristocratic amateur sleuth the Honourable Richard Rollison aka "The Toff" tackles the case of a missing businessman in this modest, once thought lost, British time-passer. John Bentley (later a regular on TV's Crossroads) stars as the posh smoothie in the first of two films adapted from John Creasey's run of 60 Rolisson novels. The whodunnit plotting is low-octane, but connoisseurs of gorblimey cockney schtick will appreciate the helpful gaggle of East End boozers and amateur boxers only too eager to help The Toff solve the mystery. Standout performer is Roddy Hughes as the whip-smart butler, but it's also worth looking out for the young Arthur Hill - later a stalwart Hollywood supporting player - as a passing American reporter. Occasional location shots in leafy upscale London perk things up, and give us a break from the poky Walton-on-Thames studio settings elsewhere. Hardly a heartstopper, but not without its charms.