The Ladykillers (1955)
By Stefan Pape,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Classic '50s crime comedy has dark themes, slapstick action.
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The Ladykillers (1955)
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What's the Story?
THE LADYKILLERS follows a gang of oddball criminals, fronted by Professor Marcus (Alec Guinness), who are planning an ambitious heist in London. They need an accomplice, and somewhere to stash the cash, so they exploit an elderly local resident in Mrs. Wilberforce (Katie Johnson) and convince her they are a band of classical musicians needing a place to stay. But when they realize that she knows too much about their plans, they decide they need to kill her. That's if anybody can.
Is It Any Good?
A shining light of the "Ealing comedies" -- a series of films made across the 1940s and '50s from Ealing Studios -- this 1955 crime caper remains as entertaining today as it did then. The Ladykillers follows a gloriously simple, almost stage production-like approach to storytelling, that focuses on a small group of characters, across very few settings. Due to this approach, much emphasis is placed on the screenplay and the performances, both of which are fantastic. It's easy to see why the Coen brothers deemed this a tale worth retelling with their 2004 version.
Guinness' Professor Marcus has a wicked, dastardly demeanor about him that encapsulates the tonality of the film, while conversely, Johnson is so brilliantly likable as Mrs. Wilberforce. Peter Sellers also stars in what is a stellar cast of British screen legends. Despite the comedic elements, the movie takes its plot seriously, much like the gangsters take their craft. Yet the subtle eccentricity, an inclination for nothing to go as planned, gives an almost cartoon-like feel. It's a film that is self-aware, knowingly sticking to the tropes of classic film noir, while also poking fun at them thanks to this merry band of useless criminals.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in The Ladykillers. Did you find it excessive? Did it disturb you? Did the movie's comic tone affect the impact of the violent scenes?
Discuss the contrast between Professor Marcus and his gang with Mrs. Wilberforce. How did Mrs. Wilberforce's positive character strengths impact the behavior of the gang?
A number of characters smoke in the movie. How have attitudes toward smoking changed from when the film was made in the 1950s to today? What other differences in society did you notice in the film?
This film was remade by the Coen brothers in 2004. Have you seen it? If so, how did this compare. Discuss why some movies are remade. Are you a fan of movies being remade?
Movie Details
- In theaters: February 20, 1956
- On DVD or streaming: February 3, 2009
- Cast: Alec Guinness , Peter Sellers , Katie Johnson
- Director: Alexander Mackendrick
- Studio: Continental Distributing
- Genre: Comedy
- Run time: 91 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Award: BAFTA
- Last updated: October 8, 2022
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