The Lavender Hill Mob (1951)

The sight of a nondescript little man supervising armored cars loaded with millions of dollars worth of gold inspired T.E.B. Clarke to write one of the most popular British comedies of the 1950s. That inspired him to create the story of a frustrated bank clerk who assembles an unlikely band of thieves to steal the gold, melt it down and sneak it out of the country as bogus Eiffel Tower souvenirs. The role of the “fubsy” clerk who constantly seems to be washing his hands brought Alec Guinness his first Oscar nomination. He’s joined by such accomplished farceurs as Stanley Holloway, Sid James, Alfie Bass and John Gregson. And yes, that’s a pre-stardom Audrey Hepburn as the cigarette girl in the opening scene.

d. Charles Crichton, 82m, DCP

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