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IMDbPro

The Ladykillers

  • 19551955
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 31m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
29K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,028
2,237
Alec Guinness, Peter Sellers, Herbert Lom, Danny Green, Katie Johnson, Cecil Parker, and Jack Warner in The Ladykillers (1955)
Official Trailer
Play trailer2:35
2 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Comedy
  • Crime
Five oddball criminals planning a bank robbery rent rooms on a cul-de-sac from an octogenarian widow under the pretext that they are classical musicians.Five oddball criminals planning a bank robbery rent rooms on a cul-de-sac from an octogenarian widow under the pretext that they are classical musicians.Five oddball criminals planning a bank robbery rent rooms on a cul-de-sac from an octogenarian widow under the pretext that they are classical musicians.
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
29K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,028
2,237
  • Director
    • Alexander Mackendrick
  • Writers
    • William Rose(story)
    • Jimmy O'Connor(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Alec Guinness
    • Peter Sellers
    • Cecil Parker
Top credits
  • Director
    • Alexander Mackendrick
  • Writers
    • William Rose(story)
    • Jimmy O'Connor(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Alec Guinness
    • Peter Sellers
    • Cecil Parker
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 165User reviews
    • 80Critic reviews
    • 91Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 2 wins & 4 nominations total

    Videos2

    The Ladykillers
    Trailer 2:35
    The Ladykillers
    The Ladykillers - Rialto Pictures Trailer
    Trailer 1:30
    The Ladykillers - Rialto Pictures Trailer

    Photos126

    Alec Guinness, Herbert Lom, and Cecil Parker in The Ladykillers (1955)
    Alec Guinness, Peter Sellers, Herbert Lom, Danny Green, and Cecil Parker in The Ladykillers (1955)
    Alec Guinness, Katie Johnson, and Cecil Parker in The Ladykillers (1955)
    Alec Guinness in The Ladykillers (1955)
    Alec Guinness, Peter Sellers, Herbert Lom, Danny Green, Katie Johnson, and Cecil Parker in The Ladykillers (1955)
    Alec Guinness in The Ladykillers (1955)
    Katie Johnson in The Ladykillers (1955)
    The Ladykillers (1955)
    Peter Sellers and Danny Green in The Ladykillers (1955)
    Cecil Parker in The Ladykillers (1955)
    Herbert Lom in The Ladykillers (1955)
    Alec Guinness in The Ladykillers (1955)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Alec Guinness
    Alec Guinness
    • Professor Marcusas Professor Marcus
    Peter Sellers
    Peter Sellers
    • Harryas Harry
    Cecil Parker
    Cecil Parker
    • Claudeas Claude
    Herbert Lom
    Herbert Lom
    • Louisas Louis
    Danny Green
    Danny Green
    • One-Roundas One-Round
    Jack Warner
    Jack Warner
    • The Superintendentas The Superintendent
    Katie Johnson
    Katie Johnson
    • Louisa Wilberforceas Louisa Wilberforce
    Philip Stainton
    • The Sergeantas The Sergeant
    Frankie Howerd
    Frankie Howerd
    • The Barrow Boyas The Barrow Boy
    Madge Brindley
    Madge Brindley
    • Large Ladyas Large Lady
    • (uncredited)
    Hélène Burls
    • Hypatiaas Hypatia
    • (uncredited)
    Jimmy Charters
    • Bystanderas Bystander
    • (uncredited)
    Kenneth Connor
    Kenneth Connor
    • Cab Driveras Cab Driver
    • (uncredited)
    Michael Corcoran
    • Burglaras Burglar
    • (uncredited)
    Michael Corcoran
    • Burglaras Burglar
    • (uncredited)
    Arthur Dibbs
    • Detectiveas Detective
    • (uncredited)
    Harold Goodwin
    Harold Goodwin
    • Parcels Clerkas Parcels Clerk
    • (uncredited)
    Fred Griffiths
    • Junk Manas Junk Man
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Alexander Mackendrick
    • Writers
      • William Rose(story) (screenplay)
      • Jimmy O'Connor(uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The producers originally rejected director Alexander Mackendrick's choice of Katie Johnson for the role of Mrs. Wilberforce on the grounds that she might be too frail for the project, and so they cast a younger actress who died before filming began.
    • Goofs
      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".
    • Quotes

      Professor Marcus: You're most kind, and if I may say so, you have a very curious and charming house. Such, um, pretty windows.

      Louisa Wilberforce: Oh, thank you,

      Louisa Wilberforce: [pointing to a window] And I rather favour positions...

      Professor Marcus: [interrupting] I always think the windows are the eyes of a house, and didn't someone say the eyes are the windows of the soul?

      Louisa Wilberforce: I don't really know. Oh, it's such a charming thought, I do hope someone expressed it!

    • Crazy credits
      During the opening credits, roses are shown, to highlight the fact that William Rose wrote the screenplay.
    • Connections
      Featured in Tuesday's Documentary: The Ealing Comedies or Kind Hearts and Overdrafts (1970)
    • Soundtracks
      Minuet in E major
      (uncredited)

      Written by Luigi Boccherini, arranged for string ensemble

      [playing on the phonograph whenever the robbers are pretending to be practicing]

    User reviews165

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    A real classic
    Alec Guiness has to be one of the greatest actors of all time, and his role in The Lady Killers does not buck the trend. From the first moment I saw his dark shape looming through the doorway, I knew the character would be well creepy. And boy was it! With that horrible grin, those horrible teeth and that horrible laugh, it's little wonder that even the grim Herbert Lom starts to get a little freaked out.

    Nevertheless, Katie Johnson as the infuriating Mrs Wilberforce almost succeeds in stealing the show. There cannot be a more annoying person in the world, from the point of view of policemen, criminals and baggage handlers alike.

    The best scene of all, in my opinion, is the very last one, but I won't spoil it for you if you haven't seen it. I haven't actually watched the re-make of the film, and I'm certainly a big Tom Hanks fan, but I think it must be hard-pressed to beat this hilarious original. 8 out of 10. Obviously, it's rather old-fashioned and might not appeal to everyone's sense of humour. Ko, Izzy.
    helpful•54
    2
    • jrichards2-1
    • Oct 23, 2004

    FAQ4

    • Is this based on a book?
    • How many ladies die?
    • Who actually dies?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 3, 1956 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Ladykillers
    • Filming locations
      • Argyle Street, St. Pancras, London, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Ealing Studios
      • Michael Balcon Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $23,213
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $5,038
      • Jun 6, 2021
    • Gross worldwide
      • $32,350
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 31 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1(original & intented ratio/open matte, theatrical release, director specification)

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    Alec Guinness, Peter Sellers, Herbert Lom, Danny Green, Katie Johnson, Cecil Parker, and Jack Warner in The Ladykillers (1955)
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