{"id":2075,"date":"2007-01-08T18:00:43","date_gmt":"2007-01-09T01:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=2075"},"modified":"2021-07-26T14:31:00","modified_gmt":"2021-07-26T21:31:00","slug":"ladykillers-the-1955","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=2075","title":{"rendered":"Ladykillers, The (1955)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;I am <em>shocked<\/em> by this revelation. Shocked and appalled!&#8221; <\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Poster-203x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"203\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-22438\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Poster-203x300.jpg 203w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Poster-86x128.jpg 86w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Poster.jpg 580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 203px) 100vw, 203px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA group of bumbling thieves unsuccessfully try to kill an elderly woman (Katie Johnson) who has learned about their latest heist.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Alexander Mackendrick Films<\/li>\n<li>Black Comedy<\/li>\n<li>Elderly People<\/li>\n<li>Heists<\/li>\n<li>Peter Sellers Films<\/li>\n<li>Plot to Murder<\/li>\n<li>Thieves and Criminals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nThis classic heist-gone-wrong flick showcases the inimitable Alec Guinness  &#8212; nearly disguised by a shock wig, false teeth, and sunken-eye makeup &#8212; at the height of his comedic powers:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Guinness3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Guinness3-1024x737.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"461\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-64339\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Guinness3-1024x737.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Guinness3-300x216.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Guinness3-128x92.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Guinness3-768x553.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Guinness3-375x270.png 375w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Guinness3.png 1421w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s also notable for the presence of a chubby, uncharacteristically subdued Peter Sellers in one of his earliest movie roles. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Sellers.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Sellers-1024x740.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"463\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-64340\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Sellers-1024x740.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Sellers-300x217.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Sellers-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Sellers-768x555.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Sellers-373x270.png 373w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Sellers.png 1423w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Most of the film&#8217;s humor is derived from the interactions between the befuddled thieves (who find themselves increasingly unable to follow through with their plans) and Mrs. Wilberforce, a true <em>force <\/em>of nature. As played by Katie Johnson, Mrs. Wilberforce is the epitome of proper British standing: she trusts until she has good reason not to, and maintains firm resolve even in the face of potential danger to her life. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Johnson5.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Johnson5-1024x738.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"461\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-64341\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Johnson5-1024x738.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Johnson5-300x216.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Johnson5-128x92.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Johnson5-768x553.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Johnson5-375x270.png 375w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Johnson5.png 1417w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Interestingly, <em>The Ladykillers<\/em> can be read on another level entirely: as a post-war political commentary about diverse interests (represented by the sundry thugs) struggling to co-exist with older British mores (as epitomized by Mrs. Wilberforce). But I prefer to watch it simply as an engagingly humorous slapstick farce, one in which incompetent thieves get what&#8217;s coming to them, and good can&#8217;t help but triumph in the end.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The always delightful Alec Guinness, nearly unrecognizable here as the sly, shaggy-haired, toothy gang leader<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Guinness2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Guinness2-1024x752.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"470\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-69004\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Guinness2-1024x752.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Guinness2-300x220.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Guinness2-128x94.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Guinness2-768x564.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Guinness2-368x270.png 368w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Guinness2.png 1417w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Katie Johnson as the unflappable landlady who insists on doing the &#8220;right thing&#8221;<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Johnson.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Johnson-1024x746.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"466\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-64335\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Johnson-1024x746.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Johnson-300x219.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Johnson-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Johnson-768x560.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Johnson-371x270.png 371w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Johnson.png 1423w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Many moments of outright hilarity, as the thieves and Mrs. Wilberforce interact at cross-purposes with each other<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Still-1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Still-1-1024x752.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"470\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-64337\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Still-1-1024x752.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Still-1-300x220.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Still-1-128x94.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Still-1-768x564.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Still-1-368x270.png 368w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/01\/Ladykillers-Still-1.png 1413w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes. This classic British comedy (recently remade by the Coen Brothers) is must-see viewing for all film fanatics. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Genuine Classic<\/li>\n<li>Noteworthy Performance(s)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p> (<span style=\"color:red;font-weight:bold;\">Listed in <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-static\/1001Movies.htm\"><em>1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die<\/em><\/a><\/span>) <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/imdb.com\/title\/tt0048281\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.moviediva.com\/MD_root\/reviewpages\/MDLadykillers.htm\">Movie Diva Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1956\/02\/21\/archives\/screen-the-ladykillers.html\">New York Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;I am shocked by this revelation. Shocked and appalled!&#8221; Synopsis: A group of bumbling thieves unsuccessfully try to kill an elderly woman (Katie Johnson) who has learned about their latest heist. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Alexander Mackendrick Films Black Comedy Elderly People Heists Peter Sellers Films Plot to Murder Thieves and Criminals Review: This classic heist-gone-wrong flick showcases the inimitable Alec Guinness &#8212; nearly disguised by a shock wig, false teeth, and sunken-eye makeup &#8212; at the height of&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=2075\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2075","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2075","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2075"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2075\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":74443,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2075\/revisions\/74443"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2075"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2075"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2075"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}