Director Mackendrick combines William Rose's understated script with an ensemble that includes a sinister Alec Guinness and a baby-faced Peter Sellers. The result is a delightfully dark comedy of errors with a gang of bank robbers posing as a string quintet and their doting landlady unwittingly helping them move their loot. In the midst of well-known talent, Katie Johnson steals more than a few scenes as Mrs. Wilberforce, the little old lady who proves to be more than a match for the criminals.

Tony Peltier