Harry, gentleman pickpocket

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.

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.

Harry in your pocket is not a lost masterpiece but more of a lost movie of the decade that was famous for it's crime genre cinema. It's one of the better Coburn films of the 70's and pretty decent all around. All four principal characters take the equal burden of the story, which never becomes boring, predictable or tedious. There are some great scenes that show us the tricks of the trade, but every bit of it remains interesting to the end. Walter Pigeon and James Coburn lead the way in a story of life on a day to day basis, never looking beyond tomorrow, and doing a job that might just take you down in flames, so enjoy it while you can. And they do, best clothes, best hotels, best food and coke, but never in one place for more than a week. Michael Sarrazin and lovely Trish Van Devere are great as well as a no future lovers who immerse themselves in Harry's combustible world of fast money and quick pleasures. The job is risky and takes it's toll, that's how it goes and the ending serves the story. I don't know why this movie wasn't released on DVD but it surely deserves the attention of all fans of 70's cinema. Find and enjoy.

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. ****

How many of you movie fans actually REMEMBER Walter Pidgeon? This role is off beat for him but what a great time we have sharing it. "It is what I do!" is one of the great lines in filmdom. There are so few films made now that can get and keep one's attention. (Attention Deficit Disorder no doubt is caused by disjointed, bad editing in Hollywood.) This film allows us to enter a world unknown to most of us...and offers a good lesson too...i.e., know where your wallet is at all times! It's great fun! James Coburn was never better.