The Happy Thieves (1961)

A master thief (Rex Harrison) steals expensive and famous original paintings with the help of his assistant (Joseph Wiseman), who paints forgeries which Harrison puts in place of the original paintings. When Harrison's new wife (Rita Hayworth) insists that he stop his life of crime, he promises to do so after one last heist ..... stealing a Goya from the Prado! Based on THE OLDEST PROFESSION by Richard Condon (MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE) and directed by George Marshall (RED GARTERS). This type of heist film has been done much better in such films as TOKAPI and HOW TO STEAL A MILLION. The film can't seem to find a tone. On one hand, it's a comedy heist caper but there are two cold blooded murders which simply aren't amusing. There's no suspense which is fatal in a heist movie and it's a pity that Paul Beeson's (TO SIR WITH LOVE) cinematography is in black and white rather than color to take fuller advantage of the handsome Spanish locations. It doesn't help that Hayworth is not a comedienne and lines which would have got a laugh if delivered by, say, Jean Arthur or Audrey Hepburn simply fall flat. The annoying perky score is by Mario Nascimbene (THE VIKINGS). With Alida Valli, Britt Ekland and Gregoire Aslan.