Katie Johnson was so determined to get the part of Mrs Wilberforce she offered to pay for her own insurance on the production (in case she passed away during filming!) She had only really done bit parts before on film but she knew this was her role. She won the Best Actress BAFTA for it. She passed on 2 years later leaving this as her legacy. It was one of the last films made at Ealing Studios themselves, before it was sold to the BBC. Ealing as a production company made a few more films in Elstree but the golden years were behind them. The actual Ealing studios are still very much in use and are the oldest purpose built film studios in the UK.
One of the gems of my early teens. Alec Guiness's talented versatility is so impressive it irritates the hell out of me that younger people can only remember that cowboys in outer space thing he did.
I joke but it's amazing that Alec somehow looked YOUNGER when he played Obi Wan than in this. He looks like a ghoul but has the mannerisms of a kind gentleman and the heart of a right bastard.
I've read that Alec Guinness was doing a take of Alastair Sim from London Belongs To Me - in fact, Sim commented that he's had praise for a film that he never appeared in
@@LearningaboutMovies Alastair Sim as the madam of a British girls' public (what we Americans would call _private_ ) school and her twin brother, a crooked turf accountant. Miss Fritten: "They may close Saint Trinians!" Teacher Rose: "Thank heavens, someone's seen the light." Miss Fritten: "May I remind you, Rose, that if they close Saint Trinians it will be at least five years before YOU see the light?"
A few years ago, Bertrand Tavernier released in France a DVD box in which we could find 8 Ealing films and a documentary about the history of Ealing Studios. -The Ladykillers -It always rains on sunday -Whent the day well ? -The man in the white suit -The lavender hill mob -Kind Hearts and coronets -Whisky galore -Champagne Charlie It's a pleasure to watch these films from a different time and some of the characters and situations are still going on, like the social story behind "The man in the white suit" one of my favorites, full of poetry however. Greetings from France 🎥 I suscribe !
my favourite Ealing comedy by far. I'd also recommend Kind Hearts and Coronets, and Passport to Pimlico. Perhaps old, but some gems and this one top of the lot. And yes, Mrs Lopsided takes the biscuit
You are absoluty right! One of my favorite old movies of all time! My parents love this movie and we watched it often together! I am now 24 and I still enjoy it! Very nice review, I will keep my eyes on your channel for more reviews like that! Thank you
I love films full stop of varying cultures. English films I love the most. This is one of my favourites and I love the silent films and Laurel and Hardy & Chaplin movies & WIZARD OF OZ 1939 classic. When I was a kid growing up we had great comedy in the 70's. BLESS THIS HOUSE & PORRIDGE & RISING DAMP & TWO RONNIES & KEN DODD & DICK EMERY & FRANKIE HOWERD & BENNY HILL & SID JAMES & GEORGE & MILDRED & LIVER BIRDS et al
Just saw it for the first time tonight. Recommendation of a friend. We thought it was great too. Thanks for your review. Your smiling eyes make it a pleasure to listen to..
Absolute British classic when the remake came out with tom Hanks I could only watch ten minutes before i ejected the CD and promptly chucked it in the trash.
I have lost count of how many times I have watched this classic movie.. it is a gem. I have also watched the Cohen brothers version. It is OK, up to a point, but it is nowhere as good as the original.
Many of the older British comedies hold up to repeated viewing. In addition to this film, I love ANCHORS AWAY (aka BARNACLE BILL) and THE SMALLEST SHOW ON EARTH.
Everyone in it is superb, including Katie Johnson. Alec Guinness was never better IMO, though he's excellent in many films. Hard to believe it is two years before Bridge on The River Kwai. What other actor could play both roles so flawlessly?
There's no comparison between the 1955's and Tom Hank's. The original has a quality level which is compelling , like Hitchcock's 'Vertigo' , only with bittersweet humor and irony. The acting is absolutely superb , like observing a real event.
Watched it last night, it is a shame my flatmate hates this film because she thinks it doesn't make sense when most of the robbers are pretty stupid (and I think some old British humor doesn't click with her But I think she really missed the point This film definitely has its faults but the plot is interesting and I love the house and the backyard right above train tracks, creating some memorable scenes and atmosphere I won't say it is my favorite but there are a lot of elements in the film which I find enjoyable and inspiring
@@LearningaboutMovies I guess she just expects criminals have to be intelligent and as a group they should be more united, instead of arguing all the time That's why I say she really missed the point, which is quite a shame
Google Katie Johnson and she is almost an unknown, your absolutely correct about her,it is as if this was her in real life. I love Danny Green aka one round the thick eared muscle man who in reality has a huge heart. The house was a mock up at the end of Frederica street and it was next to the portal of the southern end of Copenhagen tunnel. At the other end of Frederica street is Caledonian road where the famous Pentonville Prison is. It is famous for the hangings of Timothy Evans and Reg Christie from 10 Rillington place. I just find it ironic that these 5 miscreants would pull a robbery so close to the prison, a place they would surely have gone to if they had been caught.
Ladykillers is a great film - superbly written, backed up by great acting and music. One of the finest British films ever. The remake on the other hand is a disgrace to cinema. The Coens have made great films like Fargo and No Country for Old Men, but Ladykillers is certainly not their finest work.
The 2004 "remake'" of this wonderful film isn't fit to be mentioned in the same breath. Likewise the "remake" of "Last Holiday". At least "The Lavender Hill Mob" has been spared this indignity. And they could never remake "Kind Hearts and Coronets" or "The Belles of Saint Trinians" or any of the "Carry On...."series.
I decided to watch this film last night, I had the idea of doing it since watching the YTP: The Trainkillers: ua-cam.com/video/KcxiMoVOa10/v-deo.html and The Ladykillers is a very good movie, I think I might stay away from the 2004 one though
![THE LADYKILLERS - Best Scenes starring Alec Guinness and Peter Sellers [4K]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/T7oQhxo9xds/mqdefault.jpg)
![THE LADYKILLERS - Best Scenes starring Alec Guinness and Peter Sellers [4K]](/img/tr.png)
I was convinced for years that Alec Guinness’ character was Alistair Sym, such was his majesty of the role. Great film.
This film is an absolute master piece - the acting and script really is something else.
Katie Johnson was so determined to get the part of Mrs Wilberforce she offered to pay for her own insurance on the production (in case she passed away during filming!) She had only really done bit parts before on film but she knew this was her role. She won the Best Actress BAFTA for it. She passed on 2 years later leaving this as her legacy.
It was one of the last films made at Ealing Studios themselves, before it was sold to the BBC. Ealing as a production company made a few more films in Elstree but the golden years were behind them. The actual Ealing studios are still very much in use and are the oldest purpose built film studios in the UK.
excellent comments, thank you.
She was a wonderful actress, and it seemed as if the role was written for her.
[STRAIGHTENS HAT] "...and who is Mrs. Lopsided?"
As I recall, Herbert Lom who played Peter Sellers's boss in the _Pink Panther_ films played secons viola i _Ladykillers_
I was never terribly fond of movies, until I saw the Ladykillers in the mid 70s. It convinced me that movies can be works of art.
One of the gems of my early teens. Alec Guiness's talented versatility is so impressive it irritates the hell out of me that younger people can only remember that cowboys in outer space thing he did.
Hey, that's cowboys and ROBOTS in outer space. Do not forget the robots!
@@LearningaboutMovies :) I liked them the best but Data's the man. (pun intended).
I joke but it's amazing that Alec somehow looked YOUNGER when he played Obi Wan than in this. He looks like a ghoul but has the mannerisms of a kind gentleman and the heart of a right bastard.
I've read that Alec Guinness was doing a take of Alastair Sim from London Belongs To Me - in fact, Sim commented that he's had praise for a film that he never appeared in
very interesting.
@@LearningaboutMovies Alastair Sim as the madam of a British girls' public (what we Americans would call _private_ ) school and her twin brother, a crooked turf accountant.
Miss Fritten: "They may close Saint Trinians!"
Teacher Rose: "Thank heavens, someone's seen the light."
Miss Fritten: "May I remind you, Rose, that if they close Saint Trinians it will be at least five years before YOU see the light?"
A few years ago, Bertrand Tavernier released in France a DVD box in which we could find 8 Ealing films and a documentary about the history of Ealing Studios.
-The Ladykillers
-It always rains on sunday
-Whent the day well ?
-The man in the white suit
-The lavender hill mob
-Kind Hearts and coronets
-Whisky galore
-Champagne Charlie
It's a pleasure to watch these films from a different time and some of the characters and situations are still going on, like the social story behind "The man in the white suit" one of my favorites, full of poetry however.
Greetings from France 🎥
I suscribe !
my favourite Ealing comedy by far. I'd also recommend Kind Hearts and Coronets, and Passport to Pimlico. Perhaps old, but some gems and this one top of the lot. And yes, Mrs Lopsided takes the biscuit
You are absoluty right! One of my favorite old movies of all time! My parents love this movie and we watched it often together! I am now 24 and I still enjoy it! Very nice review, I will keep my eyes on your channel for more reviews like that! Thank you
thank you.
I love films full stop of varying cultures. English films I love the most. This is one of my favourites and I love the silent films and Laurel and Hardy & Chaplin movies & WIZARD OF OZ 1939 classic. When I was a kid growing up we had great comedy in the 70's. BLESS THIS HOUSE & PORRIDGE & RISING DAMP & TWO RONNIES & KEN DODD & DICK EMERY & FRANKIE HOWERD & BENNY HILL & SID JAMES & GEORGE & MILDRED & LIVER BIRDS et al
Just saw it for the first time tonight. Recommendation of a friend. We thought it was great too. Thanks for your review. Your smiling eyes make it a pleasure to listen to..
thank you.
Absolute British classic when the remake came out with tom Hanks I could only watch ten minutes before i ejected the CD and promptly chucked it in the trash.
yes. that's the only Coens Brothers movie I refuse to watch.
I endured about ten minutes too.
I have lost count of how many times I have watched this classic movie.. it is a gem.
I have also watched the Cohen brothers version. It is OK, up to a point, but it is nowhere as good as the original.
May I recommend two Alistair Sim films
Green for Danger and Scrooge ( 1951) He was an absolute genius
yes, excellent!
As I recall, Sim also appeared in the Peter O'Toole film _The Ruling Class._
Many of the older British comedies hold up to repeated viewing. In addition to this film, I love ANCHORS AWAY (aka BARNACLE BILL) and THE SMALLEST SHOW ON EARTH.
thank you.
I loved the _Carry On_ films. Not as genteel, but Sid James was a crossover actor between Ealing and the Carry Ons.
Everyone in it is superb, including Katie Johnson. Alec Guinness was never better IMO, though he's excellent in many films. Hard to believe it is two years before Bridge on The River Kwai. What other actor could play both roles so flawlessly?
There's no comparison between the 1955's and Tom Hank's. The original has a quality level which is compelling , like Hitchcock's 'Vertigo' , only with bittersweet humor and irony. The acting is absolutely superb , like observing a real event.
I think it's one of the few moments where the Coens slipped.
Agreed. It was uninspired and unnecessary. And I consider Tom Hanks to be very overrated. He's not bad. Just not as great as he is hyped up to be.
One of the greats! They just released a 65 anniversary 4k box set you can get on amazon U.K. I just bought it! The 4k restoration looks amazing!
I had no idea. thank you. that set looks remarkable.
Watched it last night, it is a shame my flatmate hates this film because she thinks it doesn't make sense when most of the robbers are pretty stupid (and I think some old British humor doesn't click with her
But I think she really missed the point
This film definitely has its faults but the plot is interesting and I love the house and the backyard right above train tracks, creating some memorable scenes and atmosphere
I won't say it is my favorite but there are a lot of elements in the film which I find enjoyable and inspiring
hate?? robbers are stupid, most of them. these guys aren't that bad. glad you liked it!
@@LearningaboutMovies I guess she just expects criminals have to be intelligent and as a group they should be more united, instead of arguing all the time
That's why I say she really missed the point, which is quite a shame
@@ying2217 there is the saying no honour among thieves
Great movie of course. Many get confused between Guinness and Alastair Sim, another Ealing actor, in this as Guinness looks unlike his usual self.
It's a masterpiece in every way 💕
yes!
Google Katie Johnson and she is almost an unknown, your absolutely correct about her,it is as if this was her in real life.
I love Danny Green aka one round the thick eared muscle man who in reality has a huge heart.
The house was a mock up at the end of Frederica street and it was next to the portal of the southern end of Copenhagen tunnel.
At the other end of Frederica street is Caledonian road where the famous Pentonville Prison is.
It is famous for the hangings of Timothy Evans and Reg Christie from 10 Rillington place.
I just find it ironic that these 5 miscreants would pull a robbery so close to the prison, a place they would surely have gone to if they had been caught.
thank you. good info.
You're right, the old English lady plays a great old English lady.
playing yourself might be the hardest acting job.
And the remake with Tom Hanks is abhorrently sacrilegious.
not good.
a disgrace to cinema that movie is
Nice review! how old are you?
thank you. 41.
@@LearningaboutMovies you have excellent taste in film for a youngin'. ;)
I like The Ladykillers
Ladykillers is a great film - superbly written, backed up by great acting and music. One of the finest British films ever.
The remake on the other hand is a disgrace to cinema. The Coens have made great films like Fargo and No Country for Old Men, but Ladykillers is certainly not their finest work.
yes, agreed.
The 2004 "remake'" of this wonderful film isn't fit to be mentioned in the same breath.
Likewise the "remake" of "Last Holiday".
At least "The Lavender Hill Mob" has been spared this indignity.
And they could never remake "Kind Hearts and Coronets" or "The Belles of Saint Trinians" or any of the "Carry On...."series.
yes, none of these could be remade, plus "Man in the White Suit" and "Captain Paradise".
@@LearningaboutMovies Captain's Paradise! Yvonne de Carlo was HOT!
Thanks for reminding me of "Kind Hearts..."! I haven't seen that since I was ten--over fifty years ago!
I decided to watch this film last night, I had the idea of doing it since watching the YTP: The Trainkillers: ua-cam.com/video/KcxiMoVOa10/v-deo.html and The Ladykillers is a very good movie, I think I might stay away from the 2004 one though
yes, watch the original for sure.
@@LearningaboutMovies I showed the film to my mum yesterday, we both give it a 9/10, the original of course
How is this better than the Coen Brothers? I tried to watch two minutes and was bored out of my skull
This website is free, and with commenters like this, you get what you paid for.
If you have that short of an attention span, I suggest you stick to reruns of The Brady Bunch and Baywatch.