400. The Ladykillers; movie review

 

 

THE LADYKILLERS

Cert PG

90 mins

BBFC advice: Contains mild threat violence

They don't make 'em like they used to, do they?

Probably because society has lost the humility or old fashioned good manners which were prevalent when The Ladykillers was made.

Alexander Mackendrick's movie is family entertainment with a bit of a rough edge. It succeeds in combining comedy with edge-of-the-seat thriller.

This is achieved thanks to William Rose's supremely clever script and actors of the very highest quality right down to those playing cameos.

It can hardly be a surprise that it was the springboard for the careers of Peter Sellers, Herbert Lom who played significant roles and Frankie Howerd and Kenneth Connor who had small parts.

The trump card in The Ladykillers is Alec Guinness who portrays a conman who applies for lodgings at the home of a busybody widow (Katie Johnson).

He fools her into thinking that he is part of a musical ensemble which requires regular practice.

Lom, Sellers, Cecil Parker and Danny Green are part of the gang who are actually planning a heist, playing classical music to cover their conversations.

The characters are wonderful. Gunniess's mock professor has ill-fitting dentures, is supremely polite but also rather ruthless.

Then there is Parker's major whose rank impresses everyone except his colleagues, Green's punch-drunk ex-boxer who is known as one-round, Seller Cockney spiv and Lom's Continental gangster. 

Their problem is that the elderly landlady is constantly bursting into their room and could potentially overhear their elaborate concept to steal from a security van.

Anyway, there are wonderful elements of farce set alongside ruthless villainy in a manner which would not be seen in the movies nowadays.

In addition, there is a gorgeous slice of what it was like in post-war Britain, beat bobbies, steam trains and all.

Are you getting the impression that we loved The Ladykillers?

You would be right. They certainly don't make 'em like this any more. And that's a pity.

Reasons to watch: A 50s classic

Reasons to avoid: A tad complicated

Laughs: Three

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 9.5/10

Did you know? Writer William Rose and director Alexander Mackendrick quarrelled violently during pre-production, with the result that Rose stormed off leaving his screenplay not quite finished. Mackendrick and a television comedy writer, Larry Stevens, provided the finishing touches. Later, Rose apologised profusely to Mackendrick and praised his handling of the movie lavishly.

The final word. Peter Sellers: "I used to watch Sir Alec Guinness, who is an absolute idol of mine, do everything, his rehearsals, his scenes, everything. It was fascinating. Not that I could hope to be as good as Guinness. But he is my ideal, and my idol."

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