The Happy Thieves gets off to a good start. Art thief Jimmy Bourne (Rex Harrison) steals a painting from a Spanish villa. He hands it over to Eve Lewis (Rita Hayworth) for transport to Paris. Once she arrives, Eve is shocked to discover the painting is missing. They have no idea how the stolen painting could have been stolen. To make matters worse, they are contacted by a man who has photographic proof they stole the painting. His silence comes with a heavy price tag. Jimmy and Eve must steal a gigantic, heavily guarded Goya from a Paris museum. Can they pull it off?On paper, The Happy Thieves looks like a real winner. It's got a lot o things that usually appeal to me. Rex Harrison is an actor I usually enjoy. His work in My Fair Lady, for example, is fantastic. Likewise, I usually really enjoy Rita Hayworth. Gilda is one of my all time favorite films. The Happy Thieves is billed as a Euro- heist/comedy - a "genre" that appeals greatly to me. Finally, there's some nice cinematography, interesting locations, and strong actors in supporting roles. It all should have worked. Unfortunately, The Happy Thieves is no where near as good as it should have been. The problem - it's as dull a movie as I've seen recently. Harrison, Hayworth, the heist/comedy elements - none of it can completely save this dud. The Happy Thieves is a chore to get through without falling asleep. It's about as dull as a kitchen knife at a beach house rental - and that's dull. Call it a missed opportunity. A generous 4/10 is the best I can rate the movie.

Having been to the Prado Museum in Madrid I was looking forward to seeing The Happy Thieves which was produced by Rita Hayworth's final husband James Hill and starring Hayworth and Rex Harrison. But this turned out to be a disappointment for me. I expected more from these stars and director George Marshall.For all the sophisticated dialog that Rex Harrison delivers he's also a guy who countenances murder as a diversion for him to steal a Goya painting from the museum. It didn't quite compute with his character.After training her in the art of thievery, Rex finds Rita balking at the more disagreeable parts of his profession. So she can never testify against him, he marries her. Apparently that must be a part of the Spanish legal system as well, even under Francisco Franco. Later on she turns the tables on him, but you have to see the film to find out how and why.Color cinematography might have helped especially since a good deal of this film was done in the Prado Museum and the movie audiences could have gotten a look at some of the great old masters like, Goya, El Greco, and Velasquez.In the end The Happy Thieves depends on the charm of its leads and they're not up to it. No one would have been.

NB - the "spoiler" in this comment is more for the Thomas Crown Affair.Well, this movie may not be as grippingly suspenseful as the Thomas Crown Affair (either version), or as funny as the Pink Panther, but as a little-known B&W sleeper it's a gem of comedy suspense in its own right.The final substitution of the paintings is far more believable than in The Thomas Crown Affair (1999) -- and funnier. It is the smooth combination of comedy and suspense that makes this film work; although it is American directed and produced, it has the engaging quality of those British crime-comedies of the fifties and early sixties.Rita Hayworth, making the difficult transition around this time from sex-symbol to character actor, delivers a fine performance, while Rex Harrison is in his suavest form as the master-criminal always ready with a quip.This is an engaging, funny and delightful movie - rent it if you can find it, or watch for its next TV appearance - you won't be disappointed.

I don't know why this film is totally forgotten. Maybe because it's a typical United Artist movie: not great enough to be remembered but with an interesting cast that's worthy of a little more attention.It's not the greatest film ever made and it certainly has its fair share of problems but the story is interesting, and the whole scene when they switch the real painting for the fake one is fun and suspenseful. The location filming in Spain is excellent, thanks mainly to the beautiful B&W cinematography.But if there's one reason to check out THE HAPPY THIEVES, it's simply for watching Rex Harrison and Rita Hayworth act together. They make an interesting duo. In fact, I have to say that they make one of the sexiest screen couples ever. I can't put my finger on why but those two together seems to be a match made in heaven.