British Comedy Guide

The Lavender Hill Mob (1951)

Great Ealing comedy, though not a patch on later "The Ladykillers", which also starred Alec Guinness of course.

Quiet respectable bank clerk, who for years escorts a shipment of gold bars (the security van is laughable by today's standards, although the two guards did carry guns) from mint to bank decides to rob his own company, but how to smuggle the gold out of the country!! He hits on a plan, with the help of Stanley Holloway, Sid James and Alfie Bass.

Lots of names in small parts, most notable being an uncredited Robert Shaw and Audrey Hepburn in her first film.

Quote: Hercules Grytpype Thynne @ 13th March 2022, 12:36 AM

Great Ealing comedy, though not a patch on later "The Ladykillers", which also starred Alec Guinness of course.

Quiet respectable bank clerk, who for years escorts a shipment of gold bars (the security van is laughable by today's standards, although the two guards did carry guns) from mint to bank decides to rob his own company, but how to smuggle the gold out of the country!! He hits on a plan, with the help of Stanley Holloway, Sid James and Alfie Bass.

Lots of names in small parts, most notable being an uncredited Robert Shaw and Audrey Hepburn in her first film.

Is this seriously the first thread you've started on this film?

Quote: Chappers @ 13th March 2022, 8:42 PM

Is this seriously the first thread you've started on this film?

Yup, I couldn't believe it either.

Just checked, there isn't one for "The Ladykillers" either

**EDIT There is now ?

One of just a few Ealing comedies that've really never done anything for me. Maybe it's the criminality element that I don't take to.

Quote: Aaron @ 14th March 2022, 3:23 PM

One of just a few Ealing comedies that've really never done anything for me. Maybe it's the criminality element that I don't take to.

Yet you're quite happy to splash out on an upgrade of the other Ealing classic, that involves murdering a sweet little old lady. ?

Yes. Not keen on The Ladykillers either, but I had to see it!

Ladykillers is one of those films that I never tire of watching. Love it and everyone in it. My father took me to see it at the cinema, but it must have been a rerelease as I don't think he would have taken me when I was 6 years old! Or maybe he did - naughty daddy.

I had an Only Connect question accepted that referred to "somebody" in the film - the somebody being General Gordon the parrot, along with Captain Flint, but can't remember the other two now, as it was over a year ago.

It's probably an age thing. We were brought up on these but I get that the younger generation (Aaron???) wouldn't quite appreciate them.

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