Harry mit den langen Fingern

Hollywood in the oughties could never make a film like Harry In Your Pocket. With its 'glorification' of pickpocketing, its characters who are utterly charming and utterly without remorse, and its downbeat ending, this film would end up on the trash heap or go straight to cable. It's a reminder of how glorious American film was in the late 60s and early 70s, and how straitjacketed it is at present. Not quite a classic, but still worth catching for James Coburn and Walter Pidgeon.

Many an actor dreams of having a mixed repertoire of characters which he has play throughout his career, eventually becoming exclusively his. Doubtless, a few wish they could shed certain character images as they have become synonymous with and is difficult to shake it loose. This rarely ever happened to actor James Coburn. Here is one film which many of his fans never seen. In this film called "Harry In Your Pocket " he naturally plays the master pickpocket called Harry. In his travels he encounters a street thief named Ray Haulihan (Michael Sarrazin) and his beautiful partner Sandy Coletto (Trish Van Devere) who are looking to upgrade their ability as thieves. At first Harry and his aging partner Casey (Walter Pidgeon) are simply amused with the pair, but later, they become a foursome which becomes quite formidable. Refused by Harry to teach him the art of pickpocketing, Ray convinces Casey to teach him for a cut of the take as Casey has a Cocaine habit to support and one which eventually leads to tragedy. Once Harry learns of the young couple operating without him, he acquiesces and becomes their leader with one important rule, 'Harry never holds'. With the trio now planning to take on a grand event in New Orleans, they have no idea the police are awaiting them. With the rare appearance of Walter Pidgeon this movie is sure to become a classic in years to come. Exceptional feature. ****

A terrific Coburn vehicle. Great job by Walter Pidgeon showing why he lasted so long as a supporting player. The scenes in all of the various western cities are great.

Showing people who strive to learn an ancient "trade" rather than work for a living! I really enjoyed this. It adds so much to Coburns' legend.

How else do you live in fancy hotels and meet beautiful people unless you have a real secret of success.

Always remember, "Harry doesn't carry."

Coburn is certainly a guy I will miss.

The only other film that I saw where a pickpocket is a hero is Pickup On South Street and the stylish James Coburn of Harry In Your Pocket would look down on Richard Widmark. Widmark worked alone and lived hand to mouth until he happened to dip on a Communist spy and got some atomic secrets in that film.

We're dealing with something totally different here. James Coburn in the title role will dip into your's and everyone else's pocket. After watching this film I'm glad I carry my wallet in my front pocket where a strange movement there will set off definite alarms. You watch Harry In Your Pocket and NO ONE will ever carry a wallet in a back pocket again.

Coburn and an old associate Walter Pidgeon take in a pair of young trainees, Michael Sarrazin and Trish Van Devere, and things work out for a bit. But soon Van Devere becomes an object of rivalry for the team. Coburn also is known far and wide by law enforcement, but they can never catch him with the goods.

Some nice scenic cinematography in Seattle, Salt Lake City, and Victoria, British Columbia is in this film as three of the places where the team plys it's trade. Coburn is a man getting on himself and jealous of young Sarrazin. His only real attachment is to the elderly Pidgeon who now just serves as a lookout for marks and a steerer. Pidgeon is rather touching as the old crook for whom there really is no retirement due to the life he's chosen to lead.

For a look at an elegant yet also seamy side of a crooked business you can't go wrong with Harry In Your Pocket.

I caught "Harry in your Pocket" on an on-demand cable channel, and I hadn't seen it since its original theatrical release. I have to say that I enjoyed it, partly because it is a great example of the early '70s antihero type of film, and because as a kid who grew up in Seattle where the beginning of the movie is filmed, it was cool to see the old buildings (long since replaced by skyscrapers) and the old restaurants like the Brasserie Pittsbourg and Rosellini's 410.

Much of the film is dated, particularly the hairstyles and the clothes, but not so much that ruins the overall enjoyment of the film.

Most people will enjoy the dissection of the act of pickpocketing, and the entire culture of the pickpockets, which is painstakingly explained. While amoral, the characters are likable, and the scene never gets too heavy, even though there is conflict.

The ending is typically downbeat, which like "Butch Cassidy" and others was a hallmark of these antihero type of films. Strangely, the movie was marketed as a comedy, but it really wasn't, particularly by today's standards. Not hugely important or groundbreaking, just a great example of Coburn's work and similar films of that era.