# Con (as in "confidence game") movies and novels **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 8, 2016, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/con-as-in-confidence-game-movies-and-novels/765370 "2016-09-08T21:48:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2016, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/con-as-in-confidence-game-movies-and-novels/765370/21 "2016-09-09T03:16:42Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > I remember a B&W\* British film made with an ensemble cast back in the '50s (I think), in which the actors (all of whom were very famous) engaged in a gigantic con that, of course, failed in the end, but just before the fade out you realized their next caper would be the Bank of England. For the life of me, I cannot remember the name of the movie or those of the actors save for Robert Morely. (Though I kinda think Alec Guinness was in it too, maybe.) Does this ring a bell with anyone? > > \*I saw it on a B&W TV, so don’t take this as Gospel. _The Ladykillers_, original 1955 version. Or not; [Morley wasn’t in that.](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0605923/) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2016, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/con-as-in-confidence-game-movies-and-novels/765370/22 "2016-09-09T03:42:56Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > _The Ladykillers_, original 1955 version. Or not; [Morley wasn’t in that.](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0605923/) Yeah … and I’m 99.999% certain he was in the movie I saw (this was maybe 45 years ago :eek: ). I’ve been going through Morley’s filmography and wonder if \*\*this \*\*wasn’t the one: > **[Law and Disorder (1958 film)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_and_Disorder_(1958_film))** > > Law and Disorder is a 1958 British crime comedy film directed by Charles Crichton and starring Michael Redgrave, Robert Morley, Joan Hickson, and Lionel Jeffries. It was based on the 1954 novel Smugglers' Circuit by Denys Roberts. The film was initially directed by Henry Cornelius, who died while making the film. He was replaced by Charles Crichton. > Percy Brand is a career criminal, a veteran of various cons and schemes, and he is regularly sent to prison by judge Sir Edward Crichton. That do... ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2016, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/con-as-in-confidence-game-movies-and-novels/765370/23 "2016-09-09T03:57:06Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > I’ve been going through Morley’s filmography and wonder if \*\*this \*\*wasn’t the one: > > [Law and Disorder (1958 film) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_and_Disorder_(1958_film)) No Alec Guinness, but Michael Redgrave, John Le Mesurier, and Joan Hickson were all in it, and I remember an old woman was part of the gang. I also remember some of the action taking place on a train. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2016, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/con-as-in-confidence-game-movies-and-novels/765370/24 "2016-09-09T05:52:33Z")
_Now You See Me_, which a lot of people don’t seem to like but I do. _Focus_, the recent Will Smith/Margot Robbie film ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2016, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/con-as-in-confidence-game-movies-and-novels/765370/25 "2016-09-09T06:16:20Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Two from David Mamet: HOUSE OF GAMES and THE SPANISH PRISONER. _The Spanish Prisoner_ was the first thing I thought of. Very good film. It’s been several years since I’ve seen it. Might be time to watch it again. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2016, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/con-as-in-confidence-game-movies-and-novels/765370/26 "2016-09-09T08:16:18Z")
There was a TV show in the 70s starring Robert Wagner and Eddie Albert called _Switch_. Wagner played a con man and reformed convict and Eddie Albert played a retired cop (who IIRC was the one who sent Wagner’s character up the river). Anyway they became friends and went into the private eye business, with the M.O. of each show being to run an elaborate con on the crook they were after. It was a pretty good show for what it was. Lasted three seasons but never drew much in the way of ratings. Also starred Charlie Callas and Sharon Gless. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2016, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/con-as-in-confidence-game-movies-and-novels/765370/27 "2016-09-09T08:51:54Z")
And whadda’ya know, _Switch_ is [currently available on Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fhjs6sEyAl4&list=PLANb-ULhcqGFLkR1Bqv06mgDyAS9wY06q). ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2016, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/con-as-in-confidence-game-movies-and-novels/765370/28 "2016-09-09T09:03:03Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > _The Music Man_ is all about a con (albeit a benign one). Is it? I don’t really see it as such, just an effective salesman. The musical instruments and band uniforms really do exist and are delivered on time. The people get what they pay for, and it really does seem to have a positive effect on the children. Admittedly, he does claim to be able to teach the children how to use the instruments. This is false, he’s no music teacher. Mostly, though, it’s honest salesmanship with no fraud. > [@Hail\_Ants](#): > > Slight hijack: > > Is the shortened term ‘con’ or ‘con man’ used in Britain? Yes. Probably more often than the long form. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2016, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/con-as-in-confidence-game-movies-and-novels/765370/29 "2016-09-09T09:13:52Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Is it? I don’t really see it as such, just an effective salesman. The musical instruments and band uniforms really do exist and are delivered on time. The people get what they pay for, and it really does seem to have a positive effect on the children. > > Admittedly, he does claim to be able to teach the children how to use the instruments. This is false, he’s no music teacher. Mostly, though, it’s honest salesmanship with no fraud. Yes and no - his _usual_ MO is to take the money and run without ordering anything; hence the kerfuffle at the beginning of the show/movie. In River City he’s motivated by looooooooove to “go straight” and actually order the stuff. And I’ll second _Nine Queens_, which is worth a watch. ---
**Author:** ![Cayuga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Cayuga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cayuga)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2016, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/con-as-in-confidence-game-movies-and-novels/765370/30 "2016-09-09T10:56:23Z")
Thank you all for all the movie an TV suggestions. I’m surprised that no one has mentioned any novels yet. Could there be a reason why a con doesn’t work well in a print medium? > [@MrDibble](#): > > _Now You See Me_, which a lot of people don’t seem to like but I do. We loved it, too. The sequel’s on cable now; we’re waiting until we’re all together to watch it. > [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > There was a TV show in the 70s starring Robert Wagner and Eddie Albert called _Switch_. Wagner played a con man and reformed convict and Eddie Albert played a retired cop (who IIRC was the one who sent Wagner’s character up the river). That’s the one I couldn’t remember! Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2016, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/con-as-in-confidence-game-movies-and-novels/765370/31 "2016-09-09T12:28:22Z")
> [@Cayuga](#): > > I’m surprised that no one has mentioned any novels yet. Could there be a reason why a con doesn’t work well in a print medium? I don’t see any reason it wouldn’t. Aren’t a few of the classic con movies already mentioned based off novels anyway? \*American Gods \*would be my novel recommendation. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2016, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/con-as-in-confidence-game-movies-and-novels/765370/32 "2016-09-09T12:50:51Z")
I figure THE PRODUCERS would count. And, for that matter, BOWFINGER. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2016, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/con-as-in-confidence-game-movies-and-novels/765370/33 "2016-09-09T13:02:29Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > There was a TV show in the 70s starring Robert Wagner and Eddie Albert called _Switch_. Wagner played a con man and reformed convict and Eddie Albert played a retired cop (who IIRC was the one who sent Wagner’s character up the river). Anyway they became friends and went into the private eye business, with the M.O. of each show being to run an elaborate con on the crook they were after. Sounds a lot like _ **The Feather and Father Gang** _: > **[The Feather & Father Gang](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Feather_and_Father_Gang)** > > The Feather & Father Gang is a 1976 American crime drama television series starring Stefanie Powers and Harold Gould, which centers on an attorney who enlists her con man father and his team of bunco artists to help her solve crimes. The show aired on ABC from December 6, 1976 until July 30, 1977. > Toni "Feather" Danton is a beautiful and clever young attorney. Her father, Harry Danton, is a shrewd and skillful confidence man. To keep Harry out of trouble, Feather hires him as an investigator f... ---
**Author:** ![Personal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Personal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Personal)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2016, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/con-as-in-confidence-game-movies-and-novels/765370/34 "2016-09-09T13:19:41Z")
A Big Hand for the Little Lady with Henry Fonda and Joanne Woodward is one of my favorites. A poker game that takes place in the backroom of a saloon. Features a kid as part of the con. Can’t remember who that was. Also, House of Games with Joe Montegna and Lindsay Crouse. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2016, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/con-as-in-confidence-game-movies-and-novels/765370/35 "2016-09-09T13:34:57Z")
How about the classic “Who’s Minding the Mint?” starring the Skipper and Gilligan (Bob Denver and Victor Buono standing in for Alan Hale Jr, IIRC), in which half of the junior comedians in H’wood try to print a bunch of money to get someone out of trouble for having shredded some? Subtle, witty, nuanced… TV movie from 1967. Gahhh. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2016, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/con-as-in-confidence-game-movies-and-novels/765370/36 "2016-09-09T15:57:44Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Sounds a lot like _ **The Feather and Father Gang** _: > > [The Feather & Father Gang - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Feather_and_Father_Gang) Good catch. From the Wiki article on _Switch_: > [@](#): > > The short-lived ABC 1976-1977 crime drama _The Feather and Father Gang_ was seen as an unsuccessful attempt to imitate Switch. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2016, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/con-as-in-confidence-game-movies-and-novels/765370/37 "2016-09-09T16:29:53Z")
As an aside to the _Switch/Feather & Father_ dynamic, it’s interesting to note that Robert Wagner from _Switch_ and Stephanie Powers from _F&F_ teamed up a couple years later to star in the highly successful tv series, _Hart to Hart_. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2016, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/con-as-in-confidence-game-movies-and-novels/765370/38 "2016-09-09T16:35:46Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > As an aside to the _Switch/Feather & Father_ dynamic, it’s interesting to note that Robert Wagner from _Switch_ and Stephanie Powers from _F&F_ teamed up a couple years later to star in the highly successful tv series, _Hart to Hart_. That was a good series, and Steph and RJ made a really sharp couple! 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2016, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/con-as-in-confidence-game-movies-and-novels/765370/39 "2016-09-09T16:38:21Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Is it? I don’t really see it as such, just an effective salesman. The musical instruments and band uniforms really do exist and are delivered on time. The people get what they pay for, and it really does seem to have a positive effect on the children. > > Admittedly, he does claim to be able to teach the children how to use the instruments. This is false, he’s no music teacher. Mostly, though, it’s honest salesmanship with no fraud. That’s what I meant that the con was benign – the people were getting what they paid for, other than his promise to teach. But usually when he visited a town, he’d leave them with their instruments and uniforms and nothing else. He only lucked out this time because they taught themselves to play (in a fashion), but the whole thing is structured as a con, and it’s also established (by Marcellus, who is Mr. Expostion in the show) that Hill has been doing various cons over the years. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2016, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/con-as-in-confidence-game-movies-and-novels/765370/40 "2016-09-09T16:38:54Z")
Going very far afield: _Bridge of Birds_, one of Barry Hughart’s _Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox_. It’s not precisely _about_ cons, but the protagonists routinely engage in (rather zany) cons in the course of their adventure. They’re some of the funniest parts of a very funny novel. Oh, and it’s set in ancient China. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/con-as-in-confidence-game-movies-and-novels/765370.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/con-as-in-confidence-game-movies-and-novels/765370.md?page=3)