IMDb > The Ladykillers (1955)
The Ladykillers
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The Ladykillers (1955) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   15,273 votes »
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Down 2% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
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View company contact information for The Ladykillers on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
24 February 1956 (Belgium) See more »
Genre:
Tagline:
Meet "The Unholy Five"...The Most Befuddled Set of Assorted Thugs That Ever Fouled Up a Million Dollar Bank Robbery!! See more »
Plot:
Five diverse oddball criminal types planning a bank robbery rent rooms on a cul-de-sac from an octogenarian widow under the pretext that they are classical musicians. Full summary » | Add synopsis »
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations See more »
User Reviews:
Brilliant. Absolutely Brilliant. See more (118 total) »

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)

Alec Guinness ... Professor Marcus
Cecil Parker ... Claude (a.k.a. 'Major Courtney')

Herbert Lom ... Louis (a.k.a. 'Mr. Harvey')

Peter Sellers ... Harry (a.k.a. 'Mr. Robinson')
Danny Green ... One-Round (a.k.a. 'Mr. Lawson')
Jack Warner ... The Superintendent

Katie Johnson ... The Old Lady
Philip Stainton ... The Sergeant
Frankie Howerd ... The Barrow Boy
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Madge Brindley ... Large Lady (uncredited)
Hélène Burls ... Hypatia (uncredited)

Kenneth Connor ... Cab Driver (uncredited)
Michael Corcoran ... Burglar (uncredited)
Harold Goodwin ... Parcels Clerk (uncredited)
Fred Griffiths ... Junk Man (uncredited)
Lucy Griffiths ... Miss Pringle (uncredited)
Phoebe Hodgson ... Constance (uncredited)
Vincent Holman ... Station Master (uncredited)
Anthony John ... Child (uncredited)
Stratford Johns ... Security Guard (uncredited)
Evelyn Kerry ... Amelia (uncredited)
Sam Kydd ... Second Cab Driver (uncredited)
Edie Martin ... Lettice (uncredited)
Jack Melford ... Detective (uncredited)
Robert Moore ... Constable (uncredited)
Arthur Mullard ... (uncredited)
Ewan Roberts ... Constable (uncredited)
George Roderick ... Radio Car Policeman (uncredited)
John Rudling ... Nervous Man (uncredited)
Leonard Sharp ... Pavement Artist (uncredited)
Peter Williams ... Detective at Parcels Office (uncredited)
Neil Wilson ... Policeman (uncredited)
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Directed by
Alexander Mackendrick 
 
Writing credits
William Rose (story and screenplay)

Jimmy O'Connor  uncredited

Produced by
Seth Holt .... associate producer
Michael Balcon .... producer (uncredited)
 
Original Music by
Tristram Cary 
 
Cinematography by
Otto Heller (director of photography)
 
Film Editing by
Jack Harris 
 
Art Direction by
Jim Morahan 
 
Costume Design by
Anthony Mendleson 
 
Makeup Department
Alex Garfath .... makeup artist
Daphne Martin .... hair styles
 
Production Management
Hal Mason .... production supervisor
David Peers .... unit production manager
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Tom Pevsner .... assistant director
Michael Birkett .... third assistant director (uncredited)
John Meadows .... second assistant director (uncredited)
 
Art Department
W. Simpson Robinson .... scenic artist
Bert Davey .... assistant art director (uncredited)
Norman Dorme .... draughtsman (uncredited)
Tony Rimmington .... junior draughtsman (uncredited)
Jack Shampan .... draughtsman (uncredited)
 
Sound Department
Stephen Dalby .... sound supervisor (as Steven Dalby)
Gordon Stone .... sound editor
Leo Wilkins .... recordist
Harry Fairbairn .... sound assistant (uncredited)
Don Wortham .... boom operator (uncredited)
 
Special Effects by
Sydney Pearson .... special effects
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Chic Waterson .... camera operator (as Chick Waterson)
Alan Bryce .... clapper loader (uncredited)
Ray Parslow .... focus puller (uncredited)
Herbert Smith .... focus puller (uncredited)
 
Editorial Department
Harry Aldous .... assistant editor
Jim Clark .... second assistant editor (uncredited)
 
Music Department
Dock Mathieson .... conductor
 
Other crew
Joan Bridge .... Technicolor colour consultant
Felicia Manheim .... continuity
 
Crew verified as complete


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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Runtime:
91 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound Recording)
Certification:
Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | Sweden:15 (original rating) | UK:U | Iceland:12 | Australia:G | Sweden:11 (re-release) (1975) | UK:U (video rating) (1989) (2002) (2006)

Did You Know?

Trivia:
Premiere voted this movie as one of "The 50 Greatest Comedies Of All Time" in 2006.See more »
Goofs:
Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): When the policeman calls at Mrs Wilberforce's house he introduces himself as "Sergeant McDonald"; at the end of the film the Inspector refers to the same character as "Sergeant Harris". In the credits he is simply listed as "Sergeant".See more »
Quotes:
Professor Marcus:One-Round, there is a wheelbarrow outside, could you fetch it? The Major has a train to catch.See more »
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The 50 Greatest Comedy Films (2006) (TV)See more »
Soundtrack:
MusicSee more »

FAQ

How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
How many ladies die?
Who actually dies?
See more »
37 out of 37 people found the following review useful.
Brilliant. Absolutely Brilliant., 17 January 2004
Author: bluenotejazz

Where did they dig up Katie Johnson? How she balances the act of a sweet old lady who is respected yet still patronized with the toughness of a strong woman who upholds justice is a joy to watch. All the while completely unawares of the true danger surrounding her. Her performance is simply great and side-splittingly funny. The rest of the cast display their usual talents, particularly the fumbling of Cecil Parker and the mean looking Herbert Lom. It's also interesting to see a very young Peter Sellers who would soon hit his stride a few years later. The dark lighting and moody scenes are perfect for this comedy and are very typical of British films of the era, so the look is familiar right away as you begin to watch. The "Tea Party" scene is just a riot. Odd to see so many negative comments on the film - it's one of if not the best Ealing film and deservedly regarded as one the best comedies of all time. They just dont make them like this anymore.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Ladykillers (1955)
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Blu Ray menu music? jamezism
Weird cut in the film... JamesTCT
Last Rose of Summer johnbrownsbodyy
Alistair Sim bradallengm
I knew this new Ladykillers was a remake!! dominb01
Explosion Scene MrDude_o_o
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