James Mason gets to let his hair down in A Touch of Larceny, playing an adorable, clever scoundrel. He works for the British government, but he doesn't have much to do, and he's bored. He comes up with a brilliant scheme to get rich quick and therefore get the girl he wants, Vera Miles. Vera's currently dating his friend, George Sanders, and wouldn't think of dropping him for someone less wealthy.
The plan is to plant clues of a Soviet defection, then hide out on a desert island for a few days until the newspapers start calling him a Communist. Then, he'll return home with proof of his whereabouts, sue the newspapers for libel, and make off with millions. Do you think it'll all go smoothly?
I can't recommend this movie highly enough. It might sound dated because of the Communist label, but it isn't really. It's hilarious, and remarkably smart. James Mason's comic timing is superb, and from the first to last scenes, you'll be laughing yourself silly. As if we needed more quotable phrases from him; now we have, "Help! Help! Oh well," to repeat throughout the day. James Mason, we love you.
The plan is to plant clues of a Soviet defection, then hide out on a desert island for a few days until the newspapers start calling him a Communist. Then, he'll return home with proof of his whereabouts, sue the newspapers for libel, and make off with millions. Do you think it'll all go smoothly?
I can't recommend this movie highly enough. It might sound dated because of the Communist label, but it isn't really. It's hilarious, and remarkably smart. James Mason's comic timing is superb, and from the first to last scenes, you'll be laughing yourself silly. As if we needed more quotable phrases from him; now we have, "Help! Help! Oh well," to repeat throughout the day. James Mason, we love you.