I couldn't help but think as I watched Larceny, Inc. that it was a vehicle originally intended for The Three Stooges. Edward G. Robinson, Broderick Crawford, and Edward Brophy star as three ex-cons who appear to go straight by buying a luggage shop, but they're secretly digging underground to get to the neighboring bank. Their rapport is adorable, and with the quick banter and slapstick antics, it's easy to imagine Moe, Larry, and Curly in the leads instead.I love Edward G. Robinson, so I'm always rooting for him when he's playing someone who doesn't get a fair shake. Broderick Crawford is surprisingly sweet and funny in this role, making me wonder why Hollywood ever cast him as a bad guy when he's so believable as a good, dumb sidekick. Usually Edward Brophy takes small roles, but as the second lead, he's given a large amount of screen time, and he holds his own and has great chemistry with Eddie. Jack Carson joins the cast as a confident luggage salesman who's intent on wooing Eddie's surrogate daughter Jane Wyman, who looks absolutely adorable as a blonde! Anthony Quinn, as you might guess, plays a gangster, and Harry Davenport, as you might guess, plays a likable old man. With this many recognizable faces in the cast, how can you resist this classic?My favorite line is when Barbara Jo Allen tries to get Eddie's romantic attention. She owns the neighboring lingerie store and she invites him over to check out her supply. "You come over sometime and look at my trunks," Eddie answers back. Larceny, Inc. is very funny, as the quips fly across the screen, you might find the plot a little familiar. If you remember a movie in which three ex-cons dig underground next to a bank, you might be thinking of Woody Allen's remake, entitled Small Time Crooks. Both are very funny, so matter which one you start with, you're in for a treat.

Delightful comedy about ex-con 'Pressure' Maxwell (Edward G. Robinson) and his two pals (Broderick Crawford, Edward Brophy) who buy a luggage store so they can dig a tunnel in the basement to break into the bank next door. They hilariously have to keep up appearances by actually running the store. Soon they discover the store might be so profitable they don't need to break into the bank after all.Robinson's in rare form here. He was such a talented actor who was fantastic at both drama and comedy. The whole movie revolves around his character and his performance is nothing short of brilliant. Wait until you see the scene of him wrapping a customer's package. Backing him up are Crawford and Brophy, both of whom are excellent. Fun supporting cast includes Jane Wyman, Jack Carson, Harry Davenport, and John Qualen. Anthony Quinn plays the villain. Jackie Gleason has a bit part as a soda jerk. A really funny movie with lovable characters and a pleasant upbeat tone throughout. They don't make cute, genial comedies like this anymore. Definitely recommended! Oh and if you ever wanted to see Edward G. Robinson play catcher in a baseball game, you'll get your wish at the start of this movie.

Top-notch comedic performances are finely delivered by Edward G. Robinson, Broderick Crawford and Edward Brophy in this hilarious story about three ex-cons, who buy a Luggage Shop that is next door to a bank. The shop is used as a clever front, while they try to tunnel into the the banks vault. The comical antics are endless and the crooks soon discover selling the luggage is profitable and much easier, until the unsavoury Anthony Quinn discovers their plan, and the three are forced to resume breaking into the bank. With very funny situations and witty dialogue, all the performers mesh perfectly which helps this story to move along at a pleasing pace, creating a very rewarding comedy gem. A full synopsis cannot compare to the fulfilling enjoyment brought by watching this 1942 film, and I highly suggest the viewing is well worthwhile.

Now personally I don't see what Anthony Quinn was squawking about in Larceny, Inc. Edward G. Robinson and sidekicks Edward Brophy and Broderick Crawford take over a caper that Quinn has planned. Robinson serves his time in prison and Quinn gets denied parole. It's not like Quinn took a copyright out on the idea and you can't count on him busting out of stir.Nevertheless that's what Quinn does and he does see things differently which is the whole basis for the plot of Larceny, Inc.Edward G. Robinson, as he did in a number of films, gets a chance to satirize his own gangster image and he does it quite well. This was one of his last films under his Warner Brothers contract and he went out in style. Robinson would be back at Warner Brothers in the latter half of the Forties with Key Largo which was definitely not a comedy.Robinson is the brains and he gets stalwart support from Edward Brophy and Broderick Crawford, two guys who at that time usually played simple minded lovable lugs. Brophy went with the flow, but Crawford was quoted as saying that he was not the world's greatest wit, but he always resented playing half a one. He got his big chance at the end of the Forties with All the King's Men and an Oscar.Robinson's adopted daughter is Jane Wyman and her beau is salesman Jack Carson. Wyman was also a few years from an Oscar for Johnny Belinda and Carson did break the mold of playing lovable blowhards.It's a pretty funny film, best scene is when Crawford strikes a pipeline in the basement and for a minute they think they've struck oil in New York City.And already refined too.