Un brin d'escroquerie

...yet I still remember liking it enough to want to get it IF it ever comes out on DVD. ( I think this is the movie that made me a life-long "fan" of James Mason.)

It is basically his ( Mason's ) character portrayal that makes the whole thing work. His "touch of larceny" actually succeeds but to say more would be a spoiler. There is one scene toward the end of the pix whereby he is confronted with a direct question which appears to have him "caught." By then your kinda rooting for the rouge -and- Mason carries it off with a 'touch of class' ...as a mid-teen I remember feeling something of a bit of admiration for the character portrayed.

For all I know all the prints and master may regrettably have already disintegrated, yet, if an opportunity ever arises I'd recommend it to anyone whom can enjoy a movie for the story it tells.

I have to say that when I thought about watching "A Touch of Larceny", the only attractive was seeing James Mason and George Sanders sharing the screen. To my surprise, the movie has a very interesting plot, but one that doe not take itself too seriously - as it happens in so many movies - adding always touches of irony and a james mason-ish humor. A pleaser for people looking for a good movie with good actors and good plot.

I thoroughly enjoyed "A Touch of Larceny" starring James Mason, Vera Miles, and George Sanders.

Mason plays Cmdr. Max Easton, who works for the government in a boring job. He meets the fiance Virginia (Miles) of Sir Charles Holland (Sanders) and decides he must have her for himself. One problem: he's broke.

He insists that Virginia meet him for lunch and a sail. While sailing, he tells her he could make a lot of money if he disappeared, was taken for a traitor, and, as soon as the newspapers had libeled him enough, come back and sue them for everything they had.

Then he does it, after making sure his coworkers see him talking with a Russian at a party, and he makes a big scene on a dock about finding the ship the Karl Marx.

Once he figures he's been skewered enough, it's time for him to come back. That's when his problems begin.

Very good film with a marvelous performance by Mason, who plays a man whose latent conmanship appears. And just when you think he can't con any more -- you'll love the end of the film.

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.