Being confined to barracks because of the coronavirus crisis, and restricted to Freeview here in the UK, I wasn't expecting much from this mid-afternoon feature on Talking Pictures. But what a surprise! Rarely have I been so captivated by a story about three women being released from prison.
We have posh girl Monica (Yvonne Mitchell) who's just done a stretch for her worthless cat burglar ex. Then we have Stella (Joan Collins) banged up for soliciting. Finally there is aged Mrs Quilliam, a serial shop lifter. All are looking forward to getting out. Monica offers to treat them all to a meal at a swanky restaurant later in the day in order to review how things have turned out.
As they leave prison Stella is met by dependable fiance Bob, in his bus conductor uniform, much to her annoyance. But her future is hopeful. He has arranged to marry her and gives her some money to find a room for herself in the meantime.
Monica drops on her feet. A pal lets her stay at her flat and she quickly gets a job by being straight about her prison record. In the meantime Mrs Quilliam gets back to her dingy bedsit to be reunited with Johnnie, her beloved mongrel.
The narratives jump back and forth. Stella walks through the West End and meets up with some of her streetwalker pals. Missing the luxuries of life she foolishly blows her rent money on a pair of garish earrings. Monica returns to the flat to find ex-boyfriend David waiting outside. She tells him to get lost but he sweet talks her into having lunch wth him. Clearly Monica didn't watch many 1950s British thrillers. If Terence Morgan is your boyfriend - Watch out! Bravely she tells him, "You think you can still twist me round your little finger!" And then lets him do just that; ending up in bed!
Mrs Quilliam visits her daughter who is ashamed of her and makes her feelings quite plain. So she starts to find her way to the West End for the free meal on offer.
Stella does likewise. Hoping to tap Monica for funds.
David in the meantime tells Monica he will pick her up at the restaurant for a theatre date, which he does, denying Stella her opportunity. However, a passing half-drunk city gent provides a lifeline. Earlier he mistakenly thought he'd made a date with Monica. So Stella simply steps in, suggesting she is going back to her old ways.
Arriving at the theatre, Monica gets a shock. David rushes her upstairs to the roof and locks the door. She realises he intends to rob an adjoining office and he wants her to keep a lookout. She is trapped, but once David has clambered over the parapet she finds the key in his coat pocket and escapes. The commissionaire notices the open door and sees the crime taking place. Raising the alarm the place is soon swarming with police and a thrilling rooftop chase ensues, ending with David's arrest, not his death. Monica slips away disillusioned.
Elsewhere things take a dark turn. Mrs Quilliam loses Johnnie while in a pub. Frantically she searches the unfamiliar streets. Eventually she sees him. Joyously she runs across the road into the path of a oncoming car, and is killed.
Meanwhile Stella is completing the intoxication of her client in another pub, but begins to regret her actions. Coincidentally the man also loses interest but says he doesn't like her vulgar earrings and tells her to take some money from his wallet to buy a decent pair. Reconversion complete, she takes just the right amount and places the wallet and the earrings in his pocket. Meeting Bob, she explains she hasn't had time to sort out a room, but that they can do it now. As they walk away together you know that's the happy ending.
In another part of London, Monica stumbles homeward, coming across the scene of Mrs Quilliam's accident. As the body is removed she takes Johnnie's lead and walks him away. Togther they may find some consolation for their losses.
The three narratives certainly fill out the 81 minutes running time. And the principals give value for money. As do the supporting cast of well known character actors like Thora Hird, Geoffrey Keen and Hilda Fenemore. Grimy, smoky post-war London is shown to great advantage. And, for transport buffs, the first fifteen or so minutes are a treat. As the women venture into the outside world again they are assailed by traffic. Majestic London trolleybuses glide by. Ironically pollution-free in the most polluted city in the World at the time. Dozens of old British cars and trucks rumble past in the dirty streets. And there's a copper on duty at every street corner. Wonderful!
Review of Turn the Key Softly
