Some films don't age, they start perfect and stay perfect. Three angels came to earth even if they just came down from the roof. Two murderers and a forger are hoping to escape Devil's Island but find themselves swept into the lives of Ducotel family—Felix, Amelie, and Isabelle. The simple joy of the family touches the hearts of the three convicts: even though Joseph (Bogart) insists they are going to beat their heads in and cut their throats; just as soon as they wash the dishes. But when cousin Andre (Basil Rathbone) arrives, the three men are pleased; he is so hateful, they now have a genuine object to plot against. With some assistance from their pet Adolphe, the convicts manage to put things "right" before cousin Andre and nephew Paul have Felix put into prison. Watch the scene wherein Joseph, Albert, and Jules argue among themselves as how to warn Andre before he figures out how to open Adolphe's box to see three masters at work making it look like play.
The humor throughout is full of wit, and none of it has faded over the years. Every line spoken seems golden with words filled with irony and double entendres. And there is a lot to say for prison.
The humor throughout is full of wit, and none of it has faded over the years. Every line spoken seems golden with words filled with irony and double entendres. And there is a lot to say for prison.