In my opinion, there are a few different types of old film. The first is the timeless classic, that no matter when its watched it retains everything great about it, think Singin’ In The Rain. The second is the once great film which doesn’t really add up as well today. Controversially, I put Citizen Kane in this bracket. It was just okay. The third type is charmingly old films which haven’t aged particularly well, but provide good fun, such as Titfield Thunderbolt. Then The Lavendar Hill Mob hits up this middle ground where it certainly inspired other films and is competent in what it does. However, in the years since other films have taken the formula and made it better.

The black and white film is a light comedy heist film, a spiritual grandfather of Oceans Eleven. Henry Holland (A young Alec Guiness) works everyday making sure gold gets to the bank. One day he sees a way out when he meets metal factory owner Alfred Pendlebury. Alfred melts metal to make mini Eiffel Towers to sell in Frnace. They recruit two thieves and devise a plan to steal gold and smuggle it to Europe by melting it into Eiffel Towers.

Of course, Henry and Alfred aren’t natural criminals so everything that could go wrong goes wrong. A group of British school children are accidentally sold the statuettes and it becomes a slapstick race against time to get them before they become evidence.

It really is a comedy where things just won’t go for our protagonists. They just miss every bus and boat, some kids won’t give back the gold and then some ends up in a police convention where they need to try and get it out.

The whole thing is rather jolly. With humorously written smart characters and a fun tone which goes all the way through, the film is a wonderful Sunday afternoon family watch.

Summary

Seventy years later, The Lavendar Hill Mob still provides a well written and enjoyable story. Other films have expanded on the premise, but there is an innocence and charm in this one that Hollywood doesn’t provide. [Grade: B+]