The title is taken from the names of two fox-hounds mentioned in the lyrics of the 18th century ballad "Do Ye Ken John Peel", a song about fox-hunting. In the movie, however, "bellman" is slang for an expert on alarm systems, a job that Hiller (Bernard Hill) takes over from one of the gang (Peter Howell).
The final film of Thomas Henty (son of Tommy Cooper).