MovieChat Forums > Our Man in Havana (1960) Discussion > Can anyone make sense out of the vacuum ...

Can anyone make sense out of the vacuum cleaners on the sidewalk?

posted 8 years ago by cleargraphics
1 reply | jump to latest

Our Man in Havana has the proven dark-hard-hitting Brittish-style comedy that existed long before Monty Python came along. The movie was an amazing and clever comedy to someone like me who just saw this film for the first time.

When Jim Wormold and Beatrice Severn walked out of the British Secret Service office and walked by a street peddler with modified vacuum cleaners, I kinda of got the gag but not entirely. I know Jim drew up mockup sketches of fictitious weapons technology that looked like everyday vacuum cleaner parts.

Can anyone make more sense out of the gag at the end with self guiding vacuum cleaners on the street sidewalk with mini fire cracker effects?

[–] mam13143 8 years ago

The little vacuums were the type of Japanese toys of the fifties which used to roll around and sometimes shoot sparks. The gag I guess is how the vacuum played such a pivotal part in his life from selling them, to using them as the design for the secret weapon. Funny bit for sure.