The Ladykillers (1955)

I haven't seen the Coen brothers' remake of this British classic, but I know it can't be as charming as this. In fact, this may be my favorite of this particular kind of British comedy. It's a dark comedy about a group of thieves led by an amusingly menacing Alec Guinness whose teeth might make Austin Powers squirm. The robbers also include an underused Peter Sellers and Herbert Lom. They masqerade as musicians as they rent a room in a house belonging to the quintessential kind, old British lady played charmingly by Katie Johnson. Her politeness, not to mention her pet birds, inadvertently begins getting in the way of their plans. The comedy turns dark, however, after the robbery and the old lady discovers the truth about them. There's an amusing scene in which she asks them to return the stolen money, and Alec Guinness, in his ever so civil way, points out that to return the money would actually inconvenience everyone involved -- they don't want it back. This leads to a very funny concluding scene. I wish I could explain it better, but it works so well because the lady lives in her own little world and it inadvertantly destroys the robbers. Well directed by Alexander Mackendrick who would go on to direct the great, Sweet Smell of Success.