A Touch of Larceny (1960) User Reviews

Pity a poor wartime hero who needs money.

[theowinthrop · 7/10 · 7 June 2005]

It is, I believe, the only time that those two silkiest voiced movie villains George Sanders and James Mason appeared together. Both occasionally played good guys (Sanders was Simon Templar, "the Saint", Mason was "Norman Main" in the Judy Garland A STAR IS BORN). Sanders would eventually win a deserved Oscar, but Mason (though repeatedly nominated) tied with fellow Briton Richard Burton for the most nominated actor who never got the Oscar. So they were well balanced, and managed to appear in this satire.

A bit of historical background. In 1955 a mystery occurred at Portsmouth naval base in England. A war hero, naval frogman - Commander Charles "Buster" Crabbe - disappeared while doing a routine dive in the bay. It turned out that a Russian naval craft was visiting Portsmouth (two Russian leaders were meeting the Prime Minister), and it was suspected that Crabbe might have been spying on it. But was he caught? Or did he defect? A body that was decomposed was found later that year, but was it Crabbe's? His fate was never actually settled.

It is this odd mystery that seems to be the germ for this comedy. Wartime hero Mason is in need of cash, as he is trying to beat out wealthy, snobby Sanders in a competition for Vera Miles. He starts noticing the worst aspect of the British press - it's outspokenness in making allegations "in pursuit of truth". He gets an idea. Suppose he acted mildly oddly for a few weeks. He has a highly sensitive military post, and he could (if he wished) give valuable information to the enemy (read the Russians). He might even defect. So he builds up a plausible appearance of approaching the Russians. Then he decides he will disappear while he is supposed to be on vacation. He arranges to disappear to an island, and hide there listening on a radio as the public is fed a diet of his apparent defection and treason. And he slowly realizes his plan is falling into place - he will bring a huge lawsuit against the various media for slander or libel on his reputation. Or will he get away with it, for while he is doing this one person noting his disappearance is suspicious. Sanders knows Mason, and he does not think him a traitor, nor does he trust him.

I won't spoil the end. It is a good comedy and things work out in crazy ways in this mad world. See the film and find out.

I was not more than 14 when I last saw it...

[drew_wallner-1 · 8/10 · 30 March 2006]

...yet I still remember liking it enough to want to get it IF it ever comes out on DVD. ( I think this is the movie that made me a life-long "fan" of James Mason.)

It is basically his ( Mason's ) character portrayal that makes the whole thing work. His "touch of larceny" actually succeeds but to say more would be a spoiler. There is one scene toward the end of the pix whereby he is confronted with a direct question which appears to have him "caught." By then your kinda rooting for the rouge -and- Mason carries it off with a 'touch of class' ...as a mid-teen I remember feeling something of a bit of admiration for the character portrayed.

For all I know all the prints and master may regrettably have already disintegrated, yet, if an opportunity ever arises I'd recommend it to anyone whom can enjoy a movie for the story it tells.

The trouble with you, Easton, is you have no principles.

[hitchcockthelegend · 7/10 · 4 May 2012]

A Touch of Larceny is directed by Guy Hamilton and adapted to screenplay by Ivan Foxwell & Roger MacDougall from the novel "The Megstone Plot" written by Paul Winterton. It stars James Mason, George Sanders and Vera Miles. Music is by Philip Green and cinematography by John Wilcox.

Plot finds Mason as Naval Commander Max Easton, a one time hero and a playboy who now idles away his time at an Admiralty desk. When an old comrade, Sir Charles Holland (Sanders), arrives on the scene with the beautiful Virginia Killain (Miles) on his arm, Easton wants her for himself. But Holland is well off financially and Easton is not, so he hatches a plan to make the press think he is a traitor to his country, and thus when they write damning articles about him he can sue them for libel!

It's little seen these days and merely a small entry on either the curriculum vitae of Mason & Sanders, but it deserves to have a bigger audience. It's very dry in humour and paced sedately without histrionics or extraneous passages of play (it was BAFTA nominated for Best British Screenplay), this is, in short, a long way from being screwball like! The novel it is adapted from apparently carries a cynical edge (not read it myself you see), and whilst the thematics here in the filmic adaptation; caddish rivalry and manipulation of the press, do lend a fragment of spice to the story, it's mostly played in a playful unobtrusive manner. The joy comes in watching the two wonderful cad lad actors on each side of the bonnie Miss Miles. All parties are doing darn fine work, with Mason dominating the screen with an engaging performance that pours scorn on those who thought he couldn't do comedy.

No masterpiece for sure, and sometimes it comes off as being a little bit odd, but this be a film to savour for the acting, the dialogue and the warm glow that follows when the end does come. 7/10

Lighthearted but well well done, acting and directing both...a fun one!

[secondtake · 7/10 · 19 September 2012]

A Touch of Larceny (1959)

Oh, it would be easy to brush off this film as a trifle. But it's so nicely constructed, so perfectly acted in a very cinematic and restrained British manner, and the plot is a joy, you really should give this a chance. And it gets only better as it goes.

The ploy here is two-fold. First there is the love affair that might or might not happen. James Mason in the lead has taken a liking to Vera Miles as the desirable but rather strong and disinterested female. Mostly. Then there is the political intrigue, much more lighthearted than a Hitchcock mixture of romance and intrigue, but giving an edge of suspense, or at least surprise, to the results. The third character in what is never quite a love triangle is the inimitable George Sanders who, like the rest of the cast, is very Old School. In fact, the American woman and the rather charming international Brit in the form of Mason are the two exceptions to the feel of the acting and the accents.

You do get a sense that some of these old sorts are being made fun of, but only in a loving and appreciative way. The war, meaning (for Britain) WWII, is now 14 years past, and these military types are hanging on to a foggy past keeping their chairs warm and rather enjoying an easy ride on the government's paycheck. We are, after all, about to enter the 1960s, and we all know how dated this world will seem once Love Love Me Do rolls over the AM radios of England.

So, a glimpse of a time, and a clever and fun and truly lightweight story, too. But well done enough to pull you in. You'll be rooting for someone or other by the end. And expect a twist, whether or not you get one.

By the way, the director, Guy Hamilton, is thoroughly British in his feel for films and humor (though born in France of British parents), and he went on to greater fame doing four James Bond movies (including "Goldfinger") and several others that have had some respect beyond their pop culture roots. It shows here. "A Touch of Larceny" could have been a painful flop, but it has the touch of three great actors and an up and coming big name director.

Elegant Comedy.

[rmax304823 · 7/10 · 10 March 2016]

If there were any dull stretched in this film they were smoothed over by James Mason's perfect performance as a self-possessed cad. Whatever he says or does is oleaginous, convincing in a most understated British way. For instance, does he need to pretend to be drunk at a dinner at the Russian embassy? He doesn't stagger around and speak mush in an overloud voice. No, not at all. He musses his hair a bit, walks carefully through the crowd, and suddenly lifts one leg and spins into an about face on the ball of one foot. When he's about to be exposed as a fraud, his features assume a limpid woebegone expression, as if someone had just taken away his lollipop.

If it were needed, any slack would be taken up by another superb cad, George Sanders, to whom the writers have given some of the best, most ironic lines, almost Lord Henry Wotton. However, as a cad, Sanders is outdone here.

Mason is in love with Sanders' fiancée but feels he doesn't have enough money as an officer in British intelligence to win her. He develops a plan. He will disappear under circumstances that suggest he went over to the USSR with top secret information. He will be slandered in the press. And when he emerges, completely innocent, he sues the media for liable and makes his fortune.

Mason follows through on his plan, taking his sailboat to a small Scottish island, sinking it after setting up a microsuite on the rocks -- primus, tent, champagne, radio -- and makes himself comfortable even as the staff back home are becoming less comfortable. The media take the bait and Mason, bearded, wearing rumpled pajamas in cheerful grandeur, chuckles and lunches on boiled lobster and wine.

"Come on," he coaches the portable radio, "Somebody call me a traitor so I can return to civilization." They call him a traitor. Preparatory to lighting the bonfire that will summon rescuers, he throws his stockpile of goods into the sea. But the best laid plans -- He accidentally loses his jug of accelerant and is forced to try lighting a pile of soggy seaweed with wet matches. The attempt fails when he runs out of matches. Thereafter he must sit and endure the Scottish weather while the scandal of his treachery fills the newspapers.

He's eventually rescued and his reputation is redeemed except for the police, who suspect him of doing exactly what he did. There are some narrow squeaks and he suavely bluffs his way through them. It works out satisfactorily. Mason gets the girl, Vera Miles, miles away from any beauty contests in Oklahoma, and instead of suing the media, he sets about making his fortune by writing the true story of his adventure, the true story being a complete fabrication, so common these days.

It's not a farce, not an antic comedy, but it's delightful in its own insinuating way.

A British Officer Trying to Impress a Sophisticated Lady

[Uriah43 · 7/10 · 25 November 2022]

While sharing a ride with his friend, a desk-bound submarine commander by the name of "Max Easton" (James Mason) meets a beautiful woman named "Virginia Killain" (Vera Miles) and, wanting to meet her again, steals one of her gloves so that he can bring it by her apartment the next day and impress her with his charms. To that effect, even though she is somewhat aloof to his overtures, he continues to persist even after finding out that she is to be married soon to the same acquaintance who introduced her to him. To that extent, in order to impress her, he even concocts a wild story about selling top-secret information to the Soviet Union and then defecting. Then, realizing that he doesn't have much time before her wedding, he then goes on to stage that exact same event--with the entire British press doing exactly as he planned to get the story out. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that, even though much of the humor was a bit subdued, I still found this to be an enjoyable comedy all the same. I especially liked the acting of James Mason who played his part to near perfection. Likewise, Vera Miles was absolutely stunning as well. Admittedly, the film is somewhat dated but, even so, I liked it for the most part and I have rated it accordingly. Above average.

"Your'e a rake."

[morrison-dylan-fan · 6/10 · 16 November 2015]

Taking a look at George Sanders IMDb page recently,I spotted a movie that Sanders had made with James Mason which was called a Film Noir Comedy! Searching round for the movie,I was pleased to discover that Paramount had recently put the title on their official Youtube channel,which led to me getting ready to pick up the lancet.

The plot:

Meeting old war buddy Sir Charles Holland, Commander Max Easton catches a glimpse of Holland's fiancé Virginia Killain.Wanting to meet Killain again,Easton steals her gloves. Ringing up Killain the next day,Easton reveals to Killain that she dropped her gloves when dropping Easton back home.Visiting to return the gloves,Easton discovers that Holland is away on business for 10 days.

With her parents coming round whilst he tries to charm her, Killain eventually caves in to Easton's offer of cooking her dinner on his ship. Travelling round on the waves,Easton tells Killain that he wants her to leave Holland,so that she can get married to him instead.Taken aback, Killain tells Easton that he would have to be really rich before she got married to him.Taking the off-the-cuff mark seriously,Easton starts looking round for ways to make bundles of cash,and begins making plans to stage his own disappearing act.

View on the film:

Adapting Paul Winterton's (who along with Elizabeth Ferrars created the Crime Writers' Association) novel,the screenplay by co- writer/(along with Roger MacDougall & Ivan Foxwell)director Guy Hamilton crosses Screwball Comedy with light Film Noir.Whilst Easton's attempts to woo the ladies allows the double entendre one liners to fly across the screen,the writers disappointingly keep the shades of Film Noir to a minimum,which along with stopping the battle between Easton and Holland from heating up,also leads to the unexpected desperation that Easton experiences to be delivered without a drop of fear.

Putting his plans into action,the writers give the second half a sharp satirical cut,as Easton gets the newspapers lack of fact checking to play into his hands.Sending Easton out into a wilderness which allows director Guy Hamilton to display a keen eye for atmospheric locations which he would expand upon with his work on the Bond movies,the writers give Easton's comedic cad a devilish Film Gris side,as Easton has to use his quick wits in order to get his hands on the girl and the cash.Joined by a classy John Le Mesurier and a playful Vera Miles,George Sanders and James Mason (whose role the studio wanted David Niven to be offered) both give marvellous performances.Whilst they are not given as much screen time together as they should have been,Mason and Sanders make every exchange count,thanks to Sanders keeping Sir Charles Holland upper class crust firm,whilst Mason curls his lips round each of Easton's cunning put-downs,as Easton uses a lancet to cut Killain from Holland.

delightful caper comedy

[marcuswebb · 10/10 · 3 August 2003]

**** out of 5...No violence and no special effects, just droll and urbane humor and WIT. More in the spirit of "How To Steal A Million" or "The Thomas Crown Affair" rather than "The Sting," this British comedy has lots to like. Begin with a thoroughly winning, playboy-rogue characterization by James Mason. Mix in a perfect snob played by the inimitable George Sanders (as only he can). Simmer with the last half, which builds into one of those reversal-on-reversal, can-you-top-this endings. I caught it at 3AM on a local station and, fortunately, taped it.

A Touch of Larceny

[CinemaSerf · 7/10 · 20 April 2023]

James Mason is the caddish Royal Naval officer "Easton" killing time in his unchallenging job from day to day until he meets "Virginia" (Vera Miles) and suddenly he has to up his game - and his income. The former is easy enough, but the latter is a problem until he devises a cunning wheeze to appear to defect to the Soviets only to return, all innocent, and to sue the defaming newspapers. One additional fly in his ointment - the girl is already engaged to "Sir Charles Holland" (George Sanders). "Easton" goes to great and public lengths to implement his plan, but on his return he realises that there is far more going on than he anticipated - and we are unsure whom is the cat and whom is the mouse... Mason is great in this, he has the role of the amiable rogue down to a T, but Miles is less engaging and Sanders features a bit too sparingly to allow his character to get up much of an head of steam. It is amusing at times, though, and Guy Hamilton and a strong script keep the pace building nicely to an ending that is not without quirk or two.

Is This Actually a Comedy?

[boblipton · 5/10 · 1 September 2017]

Vera Miles is engaged to George Sanders, but rakish Commander James Mason develops a passion for her. He decides that she won't dump Sanders for him because he is not rich, but fortunately he has a plan. He will make things appear as if he has sold secrets to the Russians, disappear, and when he reappears, will sue the newspapers for libel.

It's a low-key comedy, with everyone playing their roles as if it is a straight drama, and suffers from it; George Sanders comes off as a dull stinker (justifying the inevitable happy ending when Miss Miles dumps him); Mason could play things amusingly, but doesn't. The result had me waiting for a moment when I could crack a smile, but even a couple of scenes which clearly could have been pitched for comic relief -- Mason goes to his office to drop some files behind behind a cabinet while he annoys the staff; Sanders makes drinks amidst tadpoles in mayonnaise jars, collected by his childish father -- and no one ever utters the line about the gutter press deserving to be taken for a boodle. Perhaps that's the responsibility of director and co-screenwriter Guy Hamilton, whose idea of comedy seem to be a lot chillier than mine.

A film long remembered

[rhetorician · 10/10 · 17 April 2001]

I first saw this film on TV as a teenager. It has stuck with me and it is a quintessential James Mason film. I keep waiting for it to come on cable. It is fun, relaxing, with just a little suspense to add spice, and thoroughly enjoyable.

*

[edwagreen · 2/10 · 31 August 2017]

You see a movie with James Mason, Vera Miles and George Sanders. You would think you're in for a great drama with possible murder, mayhem and anything else ensuing. Instead, you have been subjected to pure rubbish. A ridiculous film where womanizer James Mason meets by chance a guy who saved his life during the war and the woman the guy is about to marry.

Mason falls for her and to really woo her,he fakes his disappearance leaving evidence that he may have very well defected.

There is absolutely no excitement here. It's tedious just looking at Mason on the beach drinking and growing his beard. The lady, Vera Miles, throws ashore a bottle revealing where he can be found. The intent is that Mason will sue the newspapers for slandering him during his disappearance.

We know how the love story will end because George Sanders was never made to be a love interest in film.

A miserable film that needs to be shelved permanently.

A wonderful movie with a very clever plot

[thoshwalker-1 · 10/10 · 14 July 2009]

This movie should be on DVD. James Mason, Vera Miles, & George Sanders all give excellent & believable performances. Mason plays the underdog who cannot seem to attain success. Vera Miles is the love interest; but the connections between the three actors is not the usual screenwriter's depiction. Sanders is at his witty best as a snobbish, wealthy, & quite nasty villain. Mason seems incapable of contending with the oppressive & untruthful Sanders. The viewer will quickly attach allegiance to Mason's efforts to thwart Sanders' efforts. As the story advances, you get more & more involved with Mason's plight. What happens is delightful. Hollywood at its best.

An Excellent Movie

[charlize · 10/10 · 6 August 2001]

I have to say that when I thought about watching "A Touch of Larceny", the only attractive was seeing James Mason and George Sanders sharing the screen. To my surprise, the movie has a very interesting plot, but one that doe not take itself too seriously - as it happens in so many movies - adding always touches of irony and a james mason-ish humor. A pleaser for people looking for a good movie with good actors and good plot.

Cad vs. Cad.

[ianlouisiana · 8/10 · 15 November 2005]

Two of the cinema's biggest cads lock comedic horns in "A touch of larceny" as rivals for the affections of Vera Miles.The impossibly smooth George Sanders vs.the suave and urbane James Mason.Pretend defector James Mason hides a secret file behind a cabinet in his office then disappears to a Scottish island in his boat and waits for the press to name him as a traitor before reappearing expressing surprise and dismay to sue the pants off them.At least,that's the plan. But George Sanders becomes suspicious and it all begins to go pear-shaped for Mr Mason. That's the bare bones of the plot.The superb cast does an awful lot with it.Made at the height of the Cold War when spy fever was pandemic it didn't sound so unlikely at the time.Nice monochrome photography adds to the period feel."A touch of larceny" is a lovely little film,probably of little consequence to the careers of its stars,but I remember it with great affection 45 years after I saw it.

wonderful denoument

[blanche-2 · 8/10 · 13 July 2020]

I thoroughly enjoyed "A Touch of Larceny" starring James Mason, Vera Miles, and George Sanders.

Mason plays Cmdr. Max Easton, who works for the government in a boring job. He meets the fiance Virginia (Miles) of Sir Charles Holland (Sanders) and decides he must have her for himself. One problem: he's broke.

He insists that Virginia meet him for lunch and a sail. While sailing, he tells her he could make a lot of money if he disappeared, was taken for a traitor, and, as soon as the newspapers had libeled him enough, come back and sue them for everything they had.

Then he does it, after making sure his coworkers see him talking with a Russian at a party, and he makes a big scene on a dock about finding the ship the Karl Marx.

Once he figures he's been skewered enough, it's time for him to come back. That's when his problems begin.

Very good film with a marvelous performance by Mason, who plays a man whose latent conmanship appears. And just when you think he can't con any more -- you'll love the end of the film.

James Mason is hilarious

[HotToastyRag · 10/10 · 31 March 2021]

James Mason gets to let his hair down in A Touch of Larceny, playing an adorable, clever scoundrel. He works for the British government, but he doesn't have much to do, and he's bored. He comes up with a brilliant scheme to get rich quick and therefore get the girl he wants, Vera Miles. Vera's currently dating his friend, George Sanders, and wouldn't think of dropping him for someone less wealthy.

The plan is to plant clues of a Soviet defection, then hide out on a desert island for a few days until the newspapers start calling him a Communist. Then, he'll return home with proof of his whereabouts, sue the newspapers for libel, and make off with millions. Do you think it'll all go smoothly?

I can't recommend this movie highly enough. It might sound dated because of the Communist label, but it isn't really. It's hilarious, and remarkably smart. James Mason's comic timing is superb, and from the first to last scenes, you'll be laughing yourself silly. As if we needed more quotable phrases from him; now we have, "Help! Help! Oh well," to repeat throughout the day. James Mason, we love you.

Simply delightful

[lbwaldman · 10/10 · 16 June 2021]

If you enjoy witty romantic comedies as only the Brits can do them, this is a must-see. Start with a clever script with lots of twists and turns, add in the inimitable James Mason as the devilishly charming and adorable suitor, a vibrant Vera Miles, artfully choreographed romantic scenes (including a slow dance that puts today's attempts at sensuality to shame), and you have a delightful movie that never disappoints. This is a film that deserves to be shown more often and available on DVD.