User reviews

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.

...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.

A Touch of Larceny is directed by Guy Hamilton and adapted to screenplay by Ivan Foxwell & Roger MacDougall from the novel "The Megstone Plot" written by Paul Winterton. It stars James Mason, George Sanders and Vera Miles. Music is by Philip Green and cinematography by John Wilcox.

Plot finds Mason as Naval Commander Max Easton, a one time hero and a playboy who now idles away his time at an Admiralty desk. When an old comrade, Sir Charles Holland (Sanders), arrives on the scene with the beautiful Virginia Killain (Miles) on his arm, Easton wants her for himself. But Holland is well off financially and Easton is not, so he hatches a plan to make the press think he is a traitor to his country, and thus when they write damning articles about him he can sue them for libel!

It's little seen these days and merely a small entry on either the curriculum vitae of Mason & Sanders, but it deserves to have a bigger audience. It's very dry in humour and paced sedately without histrionics or extraneous passages of play (it was BAFTA nominated for Best British Screenplay), this is, in short, a long way from being screwball like! The novel it is adapted from apparently carries a cynical edge (not read it myself you see), and whilst the thematics here in the filmic adaptation; caddish rivalry and manipulation of the press, do lend a fragment of spice to the story, it's mostly played in a playful unobtrusive manner. The joy comes in watching the two wonderful cad lad actors on each side of the bonnie Miss Miles. All parties are doing darn fine work, with Mason dominating the screen with an engaging performance that pours scorn on those who thought he couldn't do comedy.

No masterpiece for sure, and sometimes it comes off as being a little bit odd, but this be a film to savour for the acting, the dialogue and the warm glow that follows when the end does come. 7/10

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.

While sharing a ride with his friend, a desk-bound submarine commander by the name of "Max Easton" (James Mason) meets a beautiful woman named "Virginia Killain" (Vera Miles) and, wanting to meet her again, steals one of her gloves so that he can bring it by her apartment the next day and impress her with his charms. To that effect, even though she is somewhat aloof to his overtures, he continues to persist even after finding out that she is to be married soon to the same acquaintance who introduced her to him. To that extent, in order to impress her, he even concocts a wild story about selling top-secret information to the Soviet Union and then defecting. Then, realizing that he doesn't have much time before her wedding, he then goes on to stage that exact same event--with the entire British press doing exactly as he planned to get the story out. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that, even though much of the humor was a bit subdued, I still found this to be an enjoyable comedy all the same. I especially liked the acting of James Mason who played his part to near perfection. Likewise, Vera Miles was absolutely stunning as well. Admittedly, the film is somewhat dated but, even so, I liked it for the most part and I have rated it accordingly. Above average.

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.

**** 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.

I first saw this film on TV as a teenager. It has stuck with me and it is a quintessential James Mason film. I keep waiting for it to come on cable. It is fun, relaxing, with just a little suspense to add spice, and thoroughly enjoyable.

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.

Navy man Mason is a womanizer who hatches upon a scheme involving defecting to the Russians and then suing a paper for libel . He does this to woo away Vera Miles from husband George Sanders. First of all it is often Sanders who plays the villian but here he merely plays absent for most of the film. A good third of the movie is just Mason and Miles on an extended date. She falls for him sort of, but I don't really know why. There isn't much to fall for except he's persistent. Which brings up another annoying quality in a lot of movies then and now , as long as the man is persistent even if he is pretty much a jerk he always get his gal. The plot is pretty ridiculous , there's no suspense and no laughs and especially no noir. Vera Miles looks terrific though. Seeing her here I can see why Hitchcock thought she could be his new glamour girl.

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 gets to let his hair down in A Touch of Larceny, playing an adorable, clever scoundrel. He works for the British government, but he doesn't have much to do, and he's bored. He comes up with a brilliant scheme to get rich quick and therefore get the girl he wants, Vera Miles. Vera's currently dating his friend, George Sanders, and wouldn't think of dropping him for someone less wealthy.

The plan is to plant clues of a Soviet defection, then hide out on a desert island for a few days until the newspapers start calling him a Communist. Then, he'll return home with proof of his whereabouts, sue the newspapers for libel, and make off with millions. Do you think it'll all go smoothly?

I can't recommend this movie highly enough. It might sound dated because of the Communist label, but it isn't really. It's hilarious, and remarkably smart. James Mason's comic timing is superb, and from the first to last scenes, you'll be laughing yourself silly. As if we needed more quotable phrases from him; now we have, "Help! Help! Oh well," to repeat throughout the day. James Mason, we love you.

If you enjoy witty romantic comedies as only the Brits can do them, this is a must-see. Start with a clever script with lots of twists and turns, add in the inimitable James Mason as the devilishly charming and adorable suitor, a vibrant Vera Miles, artfully choreographed romantic scenes (including a slow dance that puts today's attempts at sensuality to shame), and you have a delightful movie that never disappoints. This is a film that deserves to be shown more often and available on DVD.