Harry Dedos Largos

Many an actor dreams of having a mixed repertoire of characters which he has play throughout his career, eventually becoming exclusively his. Doubtless, a few wish they could shed certain character images as they have become synonymous with and is difficult to shake it loose. This rarely ever happened to actor James Coburn. Here is one film which many of his fans never seen. In this film called "Harry In Your Pocket " he naturally plays the master pickpocket called Harry. In his travels he encounters a street thief named Ray Haulihan (Michael Sarrazin) and his beautiful partner Sandy Coletto (Trish Van Devere) who are looking to upgrade their ability as thieves. At first Harry and his aging partner Casey (Walter Pidgeon) are simply amused with the pair, but later, they become a foursome which becomes quite formidable. Refused by Harry to teach him the art of pickpocketing, Ray convinces Casey to teach him for a cut of the take as Casey has a Cocaine habit to support and one which eventually leads to tragedy. Once Harry learns of the young couple operating without him, he acquiesces and becomes their leader with one important rule, 'Harry never holds'. With the trio now planning to take on a grand event in New Orleans, they have no idea the police are awaiting them. With the rare appearance of Walter Pidgeon this movie is sure to become a classic in years to come. Exceptional feature. ****

How can you enjoy a film about pickpockets that isn't a comedy, but a deep, emotional analysis of the fall of two master cannons (street slang for pickpockets) and the training of the next generation?

Easy.

Offbeat, it wasn't shot in glorious LA or New York or Chicago, but in Salt Lake City, the plain states and Canada. Featuring the always intense James Coburn as the titular character, with the great and glorious Walter Pidgeon as his aging, cocaine addicted mentor, supported by then rising stars Michael Sarrazan (fresh off his success in "The Groundstar Conspiracy") and Trish VanDevere (pre-George C.Scott), it took a peek behind the veil at one of the world's oldest professions, in your face robbery without the victim every knowing it.

Light and breezy during the small capers, but dark and brooding during the intervals, we see a changing of the guard, but one not born of pomp and ceremony, but of despair, loneliness and resignation.

The other posters are right. It would never be made these days. No sex, violence, guns, backstabbing, revenge or enough neon. So, hopefully, they'll never try to remake it and ruin the memory of a classic.

How many of you movie fans actually REMEMBER Walter Pidgeon? This role is off beat for him but what a great time we have sharing it. "It is what I do!" is one of the great lines in filmdom. There are so few films made now that can get and keep one's attention. (Attention Deficit Disorder no doubt is caused by disjointed, bad editing in Hollywood.) This film allows us to enter a world unknown to most of us...and offers a good lesson too...i.e., know where your wallet is at all times! It's great fun! James Coburn was never better.

The upper class of the low-life, pickpockets, work Vancouver and then go on to Salt Lake City, two pretty locales that provide for some great shots. James Coburn and Walter Pidgeon play the two experienced pros, who teach rookies Trish Van Devere and Michael Sarrazin the ropes. Made in 1973, this fits in with other explorations into the long-hair hippie criminal confidence stories that arose from the ashes of the counter-culture. As such, it's an interesting analysis of two generations and a great and perhaps one of the only films about the inherently non-violent but dangerous crime, where in some societies they would chop off a hand. But in any case, it's quite embarrassing and dramatic to get caught.

Harry in your pocket is not a lost masterpiece but more of a lost movie of the decade that was famous for it's crime genre cinema. It's one of the better Coburn films of the 70's and pretty decent all around. All four principal characters take the equal burden of the story, which never becomes boring, predictable or tedious. There are some great scenes that show us the tricks of the trade, but every bit of it remains interesting to the end. Walter Pigeon and James Coburn lead the way in a story of life on a day to day basis, never looking beyond tomorrow, and doing a job that might just take you down in flames, so enjoy it while you can. And they do, best clothes, best hotels, best food and coke, but never in one place for more than a week. Michael Sarrazin and lovely Trish Van Devere are great as well as a no future lovers who immerse themselves in Harry's combustible world of fast money and quick pleasures. The job is risky and takes it's toll, that's how it goes and the ending serves the story. I don't know why this movie wasn't released on DVD but it surely deserves the attention of all fans of 70's cinema. Find and enjoy.