Larceny Street (1937) User Reviews

Nick & Nora? How about John & Alice!

[dave-2395 · 8/10 · 15 July 2013]

"Smash and Grab" (1937) stars Jack Buchanan and Elsie Randolph in a relatively obscure British echo of the "Thin Man". Married detectives as Wiliam Powell and Myrna Loy brilliantly portrayed, they bring comedy and mystery together in a similar manner, but with some improvements, in our opinion. The Loy character (Nora) was much more passive than this Randolph (Alice) wife-detective, who takes an active part in solving the crimes. Powell (Nick) was often demeaning to his partner, unlike the role equality scripted here for the British team. Buchanan and Randolph worked together in other films of the time as well.

The plot involves a series of high-end jewel robberies in Britain and France. Despite quips and slips, the pair connects them together and solves the case. The insurance companies live happily ever after. No special effects or gratuitous violence (other than broken glass) in this one, just good acting.

An undiscovered gem

[Steamcarrot · 7/10 · 31 October 2007]

I have to admit to not of hearing about this film before and got it on a whim, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. Obviously modelled after The Thin Man with William Powell and Myrna Loy, Smash And Grab has Jack Buchanan and Elsie Randolph in a similar partnership - he the ever drinking, slightly crazed brains of the outfit with a healthy line of non-stop quips and she the feisty sidekick who gets sent into danger to undercover the clues.

There has been a series of smash and grab robberies throughout France and Britain and the insurance company has hired John Forrest to investigate. While the film is nothing great in plot (it is quite creaky in that department) and some of the stereotypes might amuse you, the film nonetheless totally charms you from the first frame and it can be occasionally very funny. I heartily recommend this film to all lovers of British black and white films.

Buchanan & Randolph Always Worth Watching

[boblipton · 6/10 · 25 April 2019]

Jack Buchanan and Elsie Randolph are insurance investigators with a valet. They're on the trail of a gang that's been doing smash-and-grab robberies of jewelry store, this leads them into murder, two sets of employers with the undercover Elsie getting handsy, model trains and bickering over bananas. There is no dancing. They sing one altered line from "Yes, We Have No Bananas." The jokes are weak, the leads are pretty good and the direction by Tim Whelan is, too. It's moderately amusing, but not outstanding.

The intent seems to have been to do Buchanan and his regular stage partner as a "Nick & Nora Charles" couple. After the smash success of THE THIN MAN, everyone wanted to clone the formula, and just about no one succeeded. This one comes close, because of the easy chemistry between Buchanan and Randolph, but the bouts of manic shtick don't help.