School for Scoundrels (1960)

Plucked from the pages of Stephen Potter's insightful "One Upmanship" and "Lifemanship" books, the film "School for Scoundrels" follows the hapless Henry Palfrey, a young man perpetually overshadowed by the cunning and unscrupulous Delauney. Despite his earnest efforts, Henry constantly falls short in his attempts to impress, always coming second best to his rival. In a twist of fate, Henry stumbles upon the enigmatic Lifeman College, a unique institution presided over by the sagacious "Professor" Potter. Here, he uncovers a world where success is not measured by virtue, but by guile and manipulation. The curriculum is unusual, teaching him the art of exploiting people's weaknesses, the craft of captivating women, the skill of turning the tide in conversations, and even the trick of outsmarting superior tennis players through psychological warfare. As Henry embarks on his journey of transformation, he begins to implement these unorthodox teachings in his everyday life, aiming to turn the tables on Delauney. But the real question lingers - does he have the courage to fully embrace this new persona and the audacity to apply these lessons to their fullest effect? "School for Scoundrels" is a compelling exploration of one man's quest for social ascendance, where the line between success and morality becomes blurred. Will Henry become the master of manipulation or lose himself in the process? The answer awaits in this cleverly crafted comedy of manners.

School for Scoundrels is a comedy movie featuring Ian Carmichael and directed by Robert Hamer.

It is possible to buy School for Scoundrels on Amazon Video and Vudu.