How much one enjoys A Slight Case of Larceny depends upon one's appreciation of or tolerance for Mickey Rooney as an adult. As a child, Rooney's usual over-the-top acting style had a certain charm that many may feel had faded by the time he became a legitimate adult. He's energetic and boisterous in Larceny as only Rooney could be, and there's a plus to that -- it may keep one from noticing how un-funny and often tedious the screenplay is. It's not just that the jokes and situations are, for the most part, lame; it's also that it's sometimes hard to laugh at a character who keeps screwing up other people's lives. Eddie Bracken is also not the greatest foil for Rooney; as is often the case, he's playing a patsy that can be easily convinced to do anything, but he's too much of a whiner. Granted, his character has good reason to complain, but it becomes annoying and also adds to the discomfort of seeing Rooney messing with his life. Don Weis' direction is adequate, and the two stars do have a few good scenes together. There's also Elaine Stewart to add some eye candy. Otherwise, there's not a lot to Larceny.
by Craig Butler
review
