Though he has strong competition for the title from Harry Davenport, Edmund Gwenn is probably the most angelic old man in the movies. He is so sweet, so appreciative, so benign (without being at all sentimental or smug) that no one could believe he was the kingpin of a criminal gang. Or could they? Because he certainly has aroused the suspicions of Cedric Hardwicke, practically a template for the useless, sponging brother-in-law. He and his sour-faced wife have descended on Gwenn and his equally adorable wife, Katie Johnson (who went on to play the putative victim in The Ladykillers) as non-paying guests and show no sign of leaving. But if this couple are immune to shame or gratitude, they start to think seriously about leaving when they believe that Gwenn might end up in prison and take them with him. Is he crooked or isn't he is the conundrum played outso well in this droll little very English comedy.
Review of Laburnum Grove
