The Ladykillers
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Movie Reviews of The Ladykillers
Movie Review: I can see why Tom Hanks wanted to remake this
Summary: 5 Stars
It must have been great fun to make this film. In watching it I can certainly see how Hanks must've thought it'd be great fun to do it himself, although by all accounts the remake is a flop I've not seen it and, having now seen the original, I don't care to; this one is just perfect as it is.
Alec Guinness stars as a criminal mastermind with a questionable mental state and some of the worst teeth you've ever seen. He plays the slimy Professor in all his retentive glory. Peter Sellers & Herbert Lom, well known as Inspector Clouseau & Chief Inspector Dreyfuss of the Pink Panther films, are excellent here too, Sellers as a pre-60s "mod" young man in one of his first featured roles and Lom as a paranoid murderer. The gang is rounded out with a couple of lesser known actors who are absolutely brilliant as One Round, the dim-witted muscle man with a heart of gold and the sophisticated Major.
But the lady at the heart of it all trumps the whole cast. Sweet little Mrs. Wilberforce (Katie Johnson) was a scene-stealer of the first degree in this film, and I've not seen here in anything else but would love to. She's the kind of little old lady you want to spend time with just because she's so deeply sweet you hope it rubs off on you...but she's no gullible caricature, and she sets things to right and has a happy ending.
And it's all absolutely hilarious and brilliant, watching this gang's perfect robbery derailed by the humanity of those involved. A charming, riotously funny movie that's worth watching repeatedly. It just doesn't get much better than "The Ladykillers."
Movie Review: Natural Born Klutzes!
Summary: 5 Stars
Alec Guiness IS Alaistar Sims As Professor Marcus! ( Yes,that's what the funny teeth are all about.). But I digress...This film is one of those great dark comedies,that could only ever be made in Britain.An American version would fail outright. Alec Guiness is in top form as a clever conman,and his gang of off beat cronies. Alec Guiness takes up residence at the home of the kindly Mrs.Wilberforce,convincing her he's a director of a string quartet. ( a.k.a.his gang.).That's the basic premise. What happens from there is evil comedy! Is Mrs.Wilberforce a criminal accomplice or an unassuming one-woman police force? Eventually,she will have to be dealt with....but who's going to kill the sweet old lady? There,is where the real problems begin!
It's great fun,but be aware,it's a very meticulous comedy. That is to say it's not a "wacky" sort of comedy.It's a thinking sort of comedy,it's more like a Charles Addams cartoon humour.If you are a Peter Sellers fan,you may be a little disappointed,it's his first film,and he's not given a lot of lines as the teddy-boy thug.( But he does have a few silly moments.). This might also be Peter Seller's first team up with future Pink Panther co-star Herbert Lom (Inspector Dreyfus ),whom is the scariest member of "the gang".
Over all a brilliant Alec Guiness vehicle,and wonderful support performances all around.
Movie Review: May the Wilberforce be With You
Summary: 5 Stars
The original classic that the Tom Hanks film is based on. Miss Wilberforce is a force to be reckoned with, or at least avoided. This is apparent in the opening scene when her mere presence sends an infant into hysterics. Her busybody attitude at the police station gives the viewer an idea of what to expect of her. But while the viewer suspect, The Professor (Alec Guinness) is not privy to that information.
Guinness is the mastermind behind a robbery and he has signed up as a lodger at the Wilberforce home. There he meets with his partners while posing as musicians. But while the caper is pulled off the real trials begin. The thieves must deal with each other and the ever-present and meddlesome Wilberforce as mistrust builds rapidly and secrets get harder to hide. Tempers flare and more crimes need to be committed to keep the theft secret until the final conclusion.
This is black comedy at its best. Miss Wilberforce is an almost delight as she seems to move unscathed and uninformed through the machinations of the thieves. Her actions in the opening and closing scene are priceless classics and no remake could recapture the feeling. A must see for any fan of Alec Guinness or of black comedy in general. Although filmed in color, the railway yard scenes are as black as if they had been filmed in black and white. Check it out.
Movie Review: The Ultimate Ealing Comedy
Summary: 5 Stars
My parents took me to see "The Ladykillers" when it first came out in England in 1955--I loved it then, and I have never changed my mind. It is my favourite Ealing comedy. I will try not to duplicate other comments, but I'm pleased to see that the other reviewers think as highly of this film as I do.Of course Sir Alec--with those horrible teeth and hair--is marvellous, but this gem is very much an ensemble piece. The rest of the "gang"--cocky young Peter Sellers--guilt-ridden Cecil Parker--dim, thuggish Danny Green--nasty, impatient Herbert Lom--are all terrific in support. As for Katie Johnson, she achieved some sort of cinematic immortality, as the sweet, little, old lady, who quite innocently undermines the gang, and its dream of enjoying the stolen "lolly". Also watch out for reliable Jack Warner playing--as always--a policeman, and a riotous cameo from a young Frankie Howerd.
The DVD is nice--the colour is pretty decent for a 48-year old film. Well done, Anchor Bay !
If you like British comedy from what many consider to be its "golden age", owning "The Ladykillers" is not a luxury--it is a necessity.
P.S. If anyone from Anchor Bay reads this, how about a nice DVD of "Genevieve " ?
Movie Review: Absolutely perfect
Summary: 5 Stars
Very few films achieve perfection but this one comes close to it. Alec Guiness as the leader of a band of dysfunctional robbers, is wonderful. I won't try to summarize the movie, that's been done enough already...but...Guiness rents a flat from a very nice, little old lady and tells her that he and his musician friends will be practicing a lot. In fact they are planning their grand heist.
The little old lady, who is ever so helpful, is constantly butting in to the increasing unhappiness of the gang. Ultimately, our boys decide that they will need to 'rub the old lady out'. Unfortunately, none of them really wants to be the hit man. Nevertheless, a killer is chosen but fails miserably and is ultimately killed himself. Guiness as gang leader grows increasingly neurotic with unbelievable facial ticks. Another killer is chosen but himself dies, leaving the old lady untouched. You've got it. The gang wipes itself out. You see, crime really doesn't pay.
By the way, this film is significantly better than the more recent film starring Tom Hanks of the same name.
Ron Braithwaite author of novels--"Skull Rack" and "Hummingbird God"--on the Spanish Conquest of Mexico