The Ladykillers is one of my all-time favourites too. Though I have no problem with "adult content", it's nice (and pretty much unheard-of nowadays) to see a film that treats its audience like adults but doesn't feel the need to include swearing, sex or graphic violence. Basically, it's a movie I can enjoy with my parents! And I totally agree with your assessment of Mrs. Wilberforce (well, I'm not sure she's quite a feminist icon, but I suppose she's as close as you were likely to get in 1955).

I haven't seen the modern remake, but I can't imagine it would be a patch on the original. Alec Guiness, Peter Sellers, Herbert Lom, even an appearance by Frankie Howerd -- these men are legends, and with good reason. And I reckon Katie Johnson deserves to be a legend too. What does the remake have to match this?