The Lavender Hill Mob (1951)

A meek bank clerk who oversees the shipment of bullion joins with an eccentric neighbor to steal gold bars and smuggle them out of the country as miniature Eifel Towers.

Director:

Charles Crichton

Writer:

T.E.B. Clarke (original screenplay)

Stars:

Alec Guinness, Stanley Holloway, Sid James

Won 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alec Guinness	...	Holland
Stanley Holloway	...	Pendlebury
Sid James	...	Lackery (as Sidney James)
Alfie Bass	...	Shorty
Marjorie Fielding	...	Mrs. Chalk
Edie Martin	...	Miss Evesham
John Salew	...	Parkin
Ronald Adam	...	Turner
Arthur Hambling	...	Wallis
Gibb McLaughlin	...	Godwin
John Gregson	...	Farrow
Clive Morton	...	Station Sergeant
Sydney Tafler	...	Clayton
Marie Burke	...	Senora Gallardo
Audrey Hepburn	...	Chiquita

Storyline

Holland, a shy retiring man, dreams of being rich and living the good life. Faithfully, for 20 years, he has worked as a bank transfer agent for the delivery of gold bullion. One day he befriends Pendlebury, a maker of souvenirs. Holland remarks that, with Pendlebury's smelting equipment, one could forge the gold into harmless-looking toy Eiffel Towers and smuggle the gold from England into France. Soon after, the two plant a story to gain the services of professional criminals Lackery and Shorty. Together, the four plot their crime, leading to unexpected twists and turns.

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Plot Keywords:

gold | bank | france | souvenir | gold shipment | 

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Taglines:

The men who broke the bank - and lost the cargo!

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English French Portuguese

Release Date:

10 September 1951 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

De l'or en barres

Filming Locations:

Bank Underground Station, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

J. Arthur Rank Organisation, Ealing Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

81 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Audrey Hepburn was considered for a larger role in this film, but stage work made her unavailable. Alec Guinness was impressed with the young actress and arranged for her to appear in a bit part. This is considered to be Hepburn's first appearance in a major film.

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Goofs

When Holland and Pendlebury ascend the stairs drunk, Pendlebury loudly recites a piece of prose but his lips are obviously saying something completely different.

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Quotes

Henry Holland: Mr. Richards, with gold at 240 shillings per fine ounce, that particle, estimating its value at, .025, would entail a loss at approximately six shillings.

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Connections

Featured in Forever Ealing (2002)

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Soundtracks

"Auld Lang Syne"
(1788) (uncredited)
Traditional Scottish ballad
Words by Robert Burns
Sung a cappella by the gang in celebration

User Reviews

Best Comedy Movie Ever.......

In my opinion - this is the best comedy movie ever made. There are few movies that can still generate belly laughs two or three years after their release. This movie is still funny after more than fifty years! Plus it has some of the greatest comedy scenes ever filmed: the "my safe is broken and I have the whole payroll in it" scene; the two small-time thieves comparing resumes; Alec Guiness blending into the crowd of City bankers; and, of course, the famous last scene.