THE LAVENDER HILL MOB

A heist movie like no other; it's particularly, peculiarly British and, of course, it's a comedy. (Once upon a time the British preferred their thieves, and even their murderers, to be genteel as if they never took seriously the nefarious business they found themselves involved in). The thieves that make up THE LAVENDER HILL MOB are more genteel than most and they are played by Alec Guinness, Stanley Holloway, Sidney James and Alfie Bass and their target is none other than the Bank of England's gold reserves where Guinness is in charge of the delivery of the bullion.

This thoroughly delightful little comedy-thriller, (it only runs for 78 minutes), was beautifully directed by Charles Chrichton and written by T E B Clarke, (he won the Oscar for Best Story and Screenplay), and like all the great Ealing comedies it has stayed the course. (For a heist movie it has a great idea). Both Guinness and Holloway give marvellous performances, (Guinness got a Best Actor nomination), and watch out for a split second cameo from a young Audrey Hepburn while the use of real London locations adds considerably to the film's period charm.