April 22, 2005
More Gratuitous Old Film Posting
Image courtesy of Creative Screenwriting.
I popped in my copy of The Ladykillers last evening. If you've never seen this movie before, you definitely should, if for no other reason than to watch Alec Guinness leering in a manner of which he ought to be ashamed. He's also supported by a first rate cast - (going from left to right in the photo, that's Danny Green as One-Round, Peter Sellers as Harry, Cecil Parker as Maj. Courtney and Herbert Lom (apparently channelling Yul Brynner) as Louis). The plot is about an attempted robbery that runs into problems owing to the decision of Guinness' Professor Marcus to choose for his base of operations the home of a goofy old lady, played by Katie Johnson.
The plot is amusing in a light, Ealing Studio way. But as I say, the real fun is in watching Guinness mug for the camera. He's always been one of my very favorite actors, not because he had a particularly dominant stage presence or good looks, but because he was so damned subtle and clever and had such an extraordinary range. His magnetism was based on your desire to see what he was going to do next. Whether silly or serious, you knew it was going to be exquisite.
If I'm remembering the story correctly (and I hope I am), one time on a set this genius of Guinness' so infuriated Ralph Richardson - one of Mom's long-time favs - that he (Ralph) hauled off and slugged Guinness out of sheer exasperation.
Posted by Robert at April 22, 2005 10:57 AMA superb film indeed, altho' often I think that Frankie Howerd steals the show as the Fruit and Veg Vendor whose cart is knocked over during the heist. Pretty much all Ealing Films are terrific, I'm thinking "Kind Hearts and Coronets", "Whiskey Galore", "Man In A White Suit", "Passport to Pimlicio" - their sheer exhuberance and absolute refusal to conform to anything.
Posted by: stephenesque at April 22, 2005 12:58 PMAs an aside, avoid at all costs the remake with Tom Hanks. Ugh.
Posted by: Brian B at April 22, 2005 03:47 PMNo fear. I wasn't going near that one - had "disaster" written all over it.
Posted by: Robert the LB at April 22, 2005 05:54 PMInteresting. I LOVED the 2004 version with Tom Hanks. I didn't realize that it was a remake.
Posted by: Lynn S at April 22, 2005 06:04 PMoh excellent danny green and his 'mrs. lopsided' and his
'oi made a mistake, okay?' after he off'd peter sellers. and the dear little old ladies at the tea party, especially the teeny tiny one who looked as if she weighted 85lb soaking wet. she grabbed onto who--was it herbert lom (oh excellent, etc) in the most delighful way and bore him off like atalanta and her kill.
of course alec guiness is beyond praise--i esp. liked his tantrum in the phone booth.
a REmake? with TOM HANKS????????
who'd they get for mrs lopsided--glenn close?
another example of the absolute creative sterility in hollywood these days. apparently having the hays office to try to circumvent used to have a salutary effect.
I'm sorry for the purists, but I absolutely LOVED the remake! We had to pause it several times because we were laughing so loud we even cried! And the touches on it (the casino boat, the cat, and the thief with Irritable Bowel Syndrome) just had us on the floor begging for the fun to end - and then the cat steals the show in the end!
Go rent it. Today.
Posted by: newton at April 24, 2005 11:52 PMI could have done without the IBS references but other than that, great movie! It was the movie that made me suddenly decide that Tom Hanks is a genius. He's had some dull parts but give him something to work with and he's fantastic. Another must see Tom Hanks movie is The Terminal.
Posted by: Lynn S at April 25, 2005 08:50 AM
