Partners in Crime (1942)

Short of selling state secrets to the Hun, there are few crimes more treacherous than buying meat on the black market if this stern reprimand to wartime housewives is to be believed. After 'preying on the body of a community at war', greedy Mrs. Wilson (Irene Handl at her dour best) gets a shock when she visits her local cinema.

This very funny film was made by Frank Launder and Sidney Gilliat, who wrote (and occasionally directed) many classic British films, including Hitchcock's 'The Lady Vanishes', 'The Belles of St. Trinian's' and 'Millions Like Us'. (Alex Davidson)

This film is showing as part of 'Housewives' Choice', a touring programme of films from the BFI National Archive. Visit http://www.independentcinemaoffice.org.uk/mediatheque_housewiveschoice.htm for more information.

You can watch over 1300 other complete films and TV programmes from the BFI National Archive free of charge in the Mediatheque at BFI Southbank, London and at the new QUAD centre for art and film in Derby - http://www.bfi.org.uk/mediatheque http://www.derbyquad.co.uk/bfi-mediatheque

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• BFI
• Rationing
• Second
• World
• War
• Two
• WWII
• Home
• Front
• Black
• Market
• Irene
• Handl
• Meat
• Butcher
• Frank
• Launder
• Sidney
• Gilliat
• Lady
• Vanishes
• Belles
• Trinians
• Millions
• Like
• Us
• Thief
• Burglar
• Robbery
• Crime
• Wartime
• Judge
• Court
• Cinema
• Housewife

[sconzo]

well "very funny" it isn't. But it's a swell artifact and Robert Morley's appearance is not only a surprise but fun.

[latham29]

Looks like him - bit not like him! Asta would never have let the criminal get away with the crime whereas this dog is useless (though cute). Great film, though. Love the cameo from Robert Morley.

[bbcisrubbish]

A young Irene Handl.

[MalariaMozzie]

Rape time.

[chanctonbury63]

"We`re looking for a little lost properteh".

[somersetdc]

Mrs. Wilson...you're an ignorant, selfish slut.

[mmmbeachlover]

DI Fittemup carries out a pre-Warrant inspection.