Un brin d'escroquerie

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.

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.

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.

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.

**** 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.