Movies at Home - The League of Gentlemen (1960), Citizen Kane and Stan and Ollie

 

A fun movie from 1960 with a great British cast was fine for both of us. This team of ex-servicemen is brought together by Colonel Hyde played by Jack Hawkins. The planning of the robbery is meticulous and cunning. The best part was the raid on an arms depot the involved hilarious distractions of those in charge..

I found Citizen Kane free to view. If I ever watched in the past I cannot remember. I was less than impressed, the script and acting were fairly ordinary. However the visuals were something else. The black and white photography, the sets, the framing of each shot (some I remember from floor level), the lighting, the fades in and out and the shadows were all amazing. Unfortunately they don't make up for the story or the dialogue.

I had seen Stan and Ollie at the cinema but it was well worth a second viewing. We both enjoyed the performances. I had forgotten that Stan Laurel was English. Steve Coogan was perfect casting. This is what I said at the time:

Steve Coogan and John C Reilly have career highs as the elderly double act struggling around the UK on tour. They are fortunate to have Jeff Pope to write the screenplay, although I felt the imput of Coogan would have been important, mirroring Stan Laurel for ever writing new stuff for their act. Along with director John S Baird, they have perfected the line between impersonation and impression. So good, you totally believe they are Stan and Ollie. Their bickering wives who join the tour later in London are a double act in their own right. The contrast between the early tour empty theatres and horrible boarding house with the successful later shows and the plush London Adelphi Hotel is a little heavy handed, but this is nothing compared to an overall brilliant movie.