Only Two Can Play (1962): Cast & Plot
Only Two Can Play is a 1962 comedy directed by Sidney Gilliat, starring Peter Sellers as John Lewis, Virginia Maskell and Mai Zetterling. It runs 1 hour 46 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 46m (106 min)
- Director
- Sidney Gilliat
- Genre
- Comedy
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Vale Film Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Only Two Can Play About?
The premise of Only Two Can Play without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
John Lewis drifts through a monotonous job and a loveless marriage, yearning for excitement. When Liz, the charismatic wife of a local councillor, begins to pursue him, their attraction threatens to ignite a scandal in their close‑knit Welsh valley community, where consummating the affair would be perilous.
Only Two Can Play Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- librarian
- lighting a cigarette for a woman
- looking at oneself in a mirror
- crying baby
- library
- waking up early
- shaving
- potty training
- caviar
- calling a dog
- bow tie
- alarm clock
+38 more Show fewer
- wales
- playwright
- mobile library
- lap dog
- husband wife relationship
- based on novel
- adultery
- three wheeled car
- british humoristic literature on screen
- welsh
- mickey mouse clock
- pet dog
- welshman
- welsh accent
- job vacancy
- flirting
- potato crisps
- mercury convertible
- reference to 'now voyager' 1942
- south wales
- theater critic
- dramatist
- manipulative woman
- welsh countryside
- scene before opening credits
- colleague colleague rivalry
- imaginary friend
- nosy landlady
- bus passenger
- stage performance
- cow pasture
- local newspaper
- reference to an atomic bomb
- men's bathroom
- toy poodle
- reference to the westminster dog show
- community theater
- implied sex
Only Two Can Play Cast & Characters
Peter Sellers leads the cast as John Lewis, with Virginia Maskell as Jean Lewis and Mai Zetterling as Liz. Directed by Sidney Gilliat; 33 actors are credited in all.
- Director Sidney Gilliat
-
Peter Sellers as John Lewis - Virginia Maskell as Jean Lewis
- Mai Zetterling as Liz
-
Richard Attenborough as Gareth L. Probert
Also Starring in Only Two Can Play
· 29 more- Kenneth Griffith Ieuan Jenkins
- Sheila Manahan Mrs. Jenkins
- Raymond Huntley Vernon
- Graham Stark Hyman
- John Le Mesurier Salter
- Victor Harrington Man in Pub
- George Woodbridge Farmer
- Frederick Piper Mr. Davies
- Charles Lloyd Pack Committee Member
- Desmond Llewelyn Clergyman on Bus
- Meredith Edwards Clergyman on the Committee
- Gerald Sim Cigarette Thief at Party
- John Arnatt Bill
- Marie Devereux Girl Playing Tennis
- Margaret Lacey 1st Pianist
- Marjie Lawrence Girl in Bus
Show all 33 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Eve Eden Girl Playing Tennis
- David Davies Benyon
- John Rees Bus Conductor
- Tenniel Evans Kennedy
- Damaris Hayman Lady Committee Member
- Maudie Edwards Mrs. Edna Davies
- Meg Wynn Owen Dilys
- Howell Evans Library Policeman
- Frances Bennett Amorous Woman in Mobile Library
- Eynon Evans Town Hall Clerk
- Gillian Vaughan Maureen
- Howard Greene Chauffeur
- Ronnie Harries Night Porter
More from Sidney Gilliat
More films directed by Sidney Gilliat: Endless Night, The Great St. Trinian’s Train Robbery, Fortune Is a Woman and The Constant Husband.
Only Two Can Play Plot Summary
What happens in Only Two Can Play from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
John Lewis, Peter Sellers, is a poorly paid librarian and occasional drama critic whose affections swing between the glamorous Liz and his long-suffering wife, Jean. When a better-paid position opens, he is hesitant to apply, but Jean pressure him to try for it, nudging him toward a riskier life than he planned. He soon meets Elizabeth Gruffydd-Williams, known as Liz, Mai Zetterling, a designer connected to the local am-dram scene and wife of a local councillor. Liz offers to intercede with her husband to help Lewis land the job, and she makes it clear that she’s attracted to him. The attraction grows, and the affair begins — though it remains unconsummated — drawing Lewis into a fraught web of desire, pride, and temptation.
Full summary
The whole story of Only Two Can Play, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Only Two Can Play?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is John Lewis's main profession?
Cars in Only Two Can Play
10 cars on screen, including the 1960 Mercury Park Lane and the 1956 AEC Regent V.
-
1960 Mercury Park Lane Main role -
1956 AEC Regent V Important role -
1931 Dennis Big Four Minor role -
1960 Thames Trader MkI Minor role
Only Two Can Play Also Known As
5 alternative titles, including “Sesso peccato e castità” and “Lieben kann man nur zu zweit”.
- Also known as
-
- Sesso peccato e castità
- Lieben kann man nur zu zweit
- Jen dva mohou hrát
- Bara två kan leka så
- Només dos poden jugar
Seen Only Two Can Play?
Movies Like Only Two Can Play
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Four Play, Only You and Two Can Play That Game.
Only Two Can Play FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Only Two Can Play, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Only Two Can Play?
Only Two Can Play runs 1 hour 46 minutes (106 minutes).
When was Only Two Can Play released?
Only Two Can Play was released on January 19, 1962.
Who directed Only Two Can Play?
Only Two Can Play was directed by Sidney Gilliat.
More films by Sidney Gilliat Who is in the cast of Only Two Can Play?
Only Two Can Play stars Peter Sellers as John Lewis, Virginia Maskell as Jean Lewis and Mai Zetterling as Liz, among 33 credited actors.
Does Only Two Can Play have a post-credit scene?
No. Only Two Can Play has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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