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IMDbPro

It Takes a Thief

Original title: The Challenge
  • 19601960
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 41m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
326
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
59,018
818
It Takes a Thief (1960)
CrimeDramaThriller
A gang leader dumps her criminal boyfriend when he is convicted of robbery, but he recovers the stolen loot once he's released. In retaliation, the gang kidnaps his son and demands the money... Read allA gang leader dumps her criminal boyfriend when he is convicted of robbery, but he recovers the stolen loot once he's released. In retaliation, the gang kidnaps his son and demands the money as ransom.A gang leader dumps her criminal boyfriend when he is convicted of robbery, but he recovers the stolen loot once he's released. In retaliation, the gang kidnaps his son and demands the money as ransom.
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
326
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
59,018
818
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • John Gilling
    • Writer
      • John Gilling(original story)
    • Stars
      • Jayne Mansfield
      • Anthony Quayle
      • Carl Möhner
    Top credits
    • Director
      • John Gilling
    • Writer
      • John Gilling(original story)
    • Stars
      • Jayne Mansfield
      • Anthony Quayle
      • Carl Möhner
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 19User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • Photos14

    It Takes a Thief (1960)
    Jayne Mansfield in It Takes a Thief (1960)
    It Takes a Thief (1960)
    It Takes a Thief (1960)
    It Takes a Thief (1960)
    It Takes a Thief (1960)
    It Takes a Thief (1960)
    Anthony Quayle in It Takes a Thief (1960)
    Jayne Mansfield in It Takes a Thief (1960)
    Jayne Mansfield in It Takes a Thief (1960)
    It Takes a Thief (1960)
    Jayne Mansfield and Anthony Quayle in It Takes a Thief (1960)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jayne Mansfield
    Jayne Mansfield
    • Billy
    Anthony Quayle
    Anthony Quayle
    • Jim
    Carl Möhner
    Carl Möhner
    • Kristy
    Peter Reynolds
    Peter Reynolds
    • Buddy
    John Bennett
    John Bennett
    • Spider
    Barbara Mullen
    Barbara Mullen
    • Ma Piper
    Peter Pike
    • 'Joey'…
    Robert Brown
    Robert Brown
    • Bob Crowther
    Dermot Walsh
    Dermot Walsh
    • Detective Sergeant Willis
    Edward Judd
    Edward Judd
    • Detective Sergeant Gittens
    John Stratton
    John Stratton
    • Rick
    Patrick Holt
    Patrick Holt
    • Max
    • (as Patrick Parsons)
    Lorraine Clewes
    • Mrs. Rick
    Percy Herbert
    Percy Herbert
    • Shop Steward
    Liane Marelli
    • Striptease Artiste
    Bill McGuffie
    • Nightclub Pianist
    Lloyd Lamble
    Lloyd Lamble
    • Dr.Westerly
    John Wood
    John Wood
    • School Inspector
    • Director
      • John Gilling
    • Writer
      • John Gilling(original story) (screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      British singer Joan Small provided Jayne Mansfield's singing voice.
    • Goofs
      Jim crashes a truck and loses his job due to 'gross negligence'. The police were on the scene instantly - it must be obvious to them that the truck that the Bedford truck that Jim collided with was on the wrong side of the road and thus Jim is almost entirely innocent.
    • Quotes

      Jim: Where's Christy?

      Billy: Oh, he's out watering the poodle.

    • Connections
      Featured in Neil Sean Meets...: Stars & Friends of Jayne Mansfield (2015)
    • Soundtracks
      The Challenge
      Lyrics by Robert Halfin

      Music by Bill McGuffie (as William McGuffie)

      Performed by Jayne Mansfield (dubbed by Joan Small) (uncredited)

    User reviews19

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    An exciting crime thriller
    This film contains a surprisingly high level of violence; in particular the kidnapping scene where the boy's grandmother is beaten up. Even nowadays when gory violence seems to be the norm, it mainly happens to men and I think most film producers would hesitate before depicting a helpless old lady being beaten senseless in prolonged and graphic detail, in this case made more realistic and believable by good acting from Barbara Mullen. The same thug who beat her is later arrested in his bedroom by the police sending in a dog followed by three heavies who give him a savage beating before driving him to the station where he is threatened with more unless he gives the location of the boy. Whether her acting is good or bad the producers probably wanted Jayne Mansfield as added glamour which she provides by looking stunning particularly towards the end when she sings in her club. Overall this is an exciting and entertaining thriller.
    helpful•3
    0
    • dnhalliday
    • Feb 14, 2019

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 1961 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Sie pfiff - und die Kerle kuschten
    • Filming locations
      • Longmoor military railway, Longmoor Military Camp, Hampshire, England, UK
    • Production company
      • Alexandra
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 41 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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