The Notorious Landlady (1962)

63% of users liked it
(374 ratings)

This uneven farce by director Richard Quine has its hilarious and witty moments as American diplomat William Gridley (Jack Lemmon) inadvertently gets caught up in a jewel theft and mayhem. After William lands in London to take up his new position and get settled in his new digs, he becomes involved… More This uneven farce by director Richard Quine has its hilarious and witty moments as American diplomat William Gridley (Jack Lemmon) inadvertently gets caught up in a jewel theft and mayhem. After William lands in London to take up his new position and get settled in his new digs, he becomes involved with his gorgeous landlady Carlye Hardwicke (Kim Novak). Carlye's husband is missing, and she is suspected of doing him in. But then he unexpectedly comes back home where an argument with Carlye over some jewels makes him as dead as everyone had assumed -- with her wielding the murder weapon. Carlye is eventually acquitted thanks to a witness who has designs on the jewels herself -- but the story is far from over. First there is an exciting helicopter ride and a wild chase to decide just who will end up with the loot. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 3 min.
Directed By: Richard Quine
Written By: Larry Gelbart, Blake Edwards
Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery & Suspense, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1962 Wide
On DVD: Jun 9, 2009

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Poor Fred Astaire comes off the worst of all -- he's stuck as a fawning American embassy chief.

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Excellent cast in silly trifle of a film. The tone of the film is all over the place, first romantic comedy than suspense finally slapstick. Fred is a most welcome presence in his brief scenes.

Cast

            Kim Novak as Carlyle Hardwicke

            Jack Lemmon as William Gridley

            Fred Astaire as Franklyn Ambruster

            Lionel Jeffries as Inspector Oliphant

            Estelle Winwood as Mrs. Dunhill

            Maxwell Reed as Miles Hardwicke

            Philippa Bevans as Mrs. Brown

            Henry Daniell as Stranger

            Ronald Long as Coroner

            Doris Lloyd as Lady Fallott

            Dick Crockett as Carstairs

            Scott Davey as Henry

            Jack Livesey as Counsel

            Cecil Weston as Woman

            Marjorie Bennett as Autograph Seeker

            Barry Bernard as Attendant

            Laurence Conroy as Clerk

            Thomas P. Dillon as Coroner's Officer

            Anthony Eustrel as Man

            Alex Finlayson
            
            Jackson Halliday
            
            Bryan Herbert as Husband

            Harold Innocent as Young Escort

            John Uhler Lemmon II as Old Man in Wheelchair

            Queenie Leonard as Woman

            James Logan as Bobby

            Clive Morgan as Man in Smoking Jacket

            Ottola Nesmith as Flower Lady

            Tudor Owen as Farmer

            Milton Parsons as Mysterious Man

            Richard Peel as Dillings

            George Pelling as Ticket Agent

            Mary Scott as Waitress

            Gwendolyn Watts as Wife

            Nelson Welch as Old Man

            Frederic Worlock as Elderly Colonel

            David Hilary Hughes
            
            Michael St. Clair as Fire Chief

            Eric Micklewood as Man with a Hangover

            Brian Gaffikin as BBC anchorman

            Joe Palma as Reporter

            Ross Brown as Boy

            Betty Fairfax as Woman in Bathrobe

            Mavis Neal
            
            Tom Symonds as Alf

            Towyna Thomas as Dowager

            Cicely Walper
            
See full cast