The Happy Thieves

One of two feature films released in 1962 based on novels by Richard Condon. This is the other one.

Dismissed as "absolute rubbish" by Rex Harrison, despite Mario Nascimbene's twee score's attempts to convince us otherwise it's garrulous and unfunny but painless enough. The stars got an expenses paid holiday in Madrid out of it, and as photographed by Paul Beeson it's good to look at; as as are two handsome actresses then in the autumn of their careers who share one scene together. Alida Valli is wasted in a supporting role as a countess but Rita Hayworth - whose problem drinking is unchivilrously referred by her co-star in the film itself - is rather touching and chicly dressed in Pierre Balmain.