Others have covered the plot line and other details about this movie, which I have seen on TV a number of times. I am always puzzled by the casting. The most glaring example of an actress being miscast is Beryl Reid playing one of the teeny bopper fans of crooner, Ronnie Baker (Denis Lotis).
Reid was 37 when this film was made, and it shows.
Denis Lotis was around 31 years old. He was always in the shadow of superior American crooners. Although he was promoted as a bit of a heartthrob, scenes of him being mobbed by hoards of teenage girls are over exaggerated.
Soon after this film was made, he was blown out of the water by the gathering rock 'n' roll phenomenon. British stars such as Cliff Richard, Billy Fury, Marty Wilde, etc., really did have screaming girls in their audience, and Lotis became a 'square'.
Reviews
15 Reviews
Dilemma
(I) (1962)
Still seen on TV
2 January 2019
Others have reviewed and given the story line of this film. I merely post to confirm that the film is still shown on Sky TV channels in the UK.
Watched it just yesterday (3/1/2019) on the "Talking Pictures" channel. I'd not seen it for a while, and I found it quite enjoyable, having forgotten a few scenes. Worth a watch if you see it come round again.
Solo for Sparrow
(1962)
More nostalgia with (some) familiar actors
13 June 2011
Another of the entertaining Merton Park releases, loosely based on Edgar Wallace stories, that were shown before the main feature in the 60s. Many of the actors in these films went on to bigger things, some were destined to make a good living playing supporting roles and some didn't progress at all. In this film, the one and only Michael Caine plays Paddy, one of a group of crooks who steal the keys to a jewellery shop from the elderly shop assistant after she's locked up for the night, accidentally killing her. Although IMDb has Caine near the top of the cast list, his role is fairly minor, played with a brave attempt at an Irish accent. As usual for these films, the plot is quite intriguing and Glyn Houston as Inspector Sparrow puts in a credible performance as he tries to track down the thieves despite his superior's wishes that he should call in Scotland Yard to help. Nothing is quite what it seems and this turns out to be more than a straightforward robbery.
Time to Remember
(1962)
Entertaining and nostalgic
13 June 2011
The series of Edgar Wallace mysteries that this film belonged to were quite entertaining and were shown in the cinema before the main feature. It is interesting to see actors you remember, some of whom never progressed, some who were destined to play supporting roles for the rest of their career and some who went on to become major stars. In this film a gang of jewellery thieves rob a house which has just become empty on the death of it's rich lady owner a week earlier. Her jewels are still in the safe(!?). The robbery is not a complete success and one robber hides the jewels in the house as he's about to be captured. The house is put up for sale. Harry H. Corbett plays a struggling estate agent. A lady enquires about buying the house. This eventually leads to Corbett putting two and two together and guessing the jewels may still be there. The events unfold with a few twists and turns, making this a very watchable film.
Men Without Honour
(1939)
Mildly interesting
5 April 2011
I caught this movie on TV channel 'Movies4Men'. A very poor print and as already mentioned, made on the cheap. Small sets crowded with people and single camera used, A few stock library shots of busy London streets spliced in between. The caption at the opening of the film tells the viewer about the serious problem of 'share pushers' operating at the time, so I suppose it must have been rife then to have prompted a movie all about it. Also elements of selling shares in worthless ventures abroad is touched upon. Main characters not bad actors (although all seem very RADA-ish). However, like Steve Ellison I couldn't believe how bad the actor who played Fleming's son performed. Significantly, he doesn't appear in the cast list! I am sure I have seen him in something else from around that era. Could this be the only film in which Fleming headed the cast list? He had a long career, but was destined to play support roles such as family doctors, diplomats, police inspectors, lawyers and so on.
Dublin Nightmare
(1958)
Worth having look at!
27 May 2009
Bought this on a 3-film DVD with two other films of the same genre (Deadly Nightshade and Delayed Action).
A well produced film considering it's a low budget black and white movie which probably only served as a second feature to the main movie.
A good storyline when the 'Movement' (as the IRA is referred to throughout the film) attempts to set up a security van raid in order to boost their funds.
All does not go to plan and William Sylvester's character arrives right in the thick of it. Plenty of location and outside filming. The action is fairly convincing and there is a half decent car chase. There is also an interesting twist at the end.
As with many of these films, the producers felt the need to include a continental actress in the cast. Possibly to help sales on the continent. Maria Landi looks good, but as far as acting goes - not brilliant!
Can be had quite cheaply on DVD and worth buying - not seen it on any of the TV channels, so perhaps DVD is the way to go.
A well produced film considering it's a low budget black and white movie which probably only served as a second feature to the main movie.
A good storyline when the 'Movement' (as the IRA is referred to throughout the film) attempts to set up a security van raid in order to boost their funds.
All does not go to plan and William Sylvester's character arrives right in the thick of it. Plenty of location and outside filming. The action is fairly convincing and there is a half decent car chase. There is also an interesting twist at the end.
As with many of these films, the producers felt the need to include a continental actress in the cast. Possibly to help sales on the continent. Maria Landi looks good, but as far as acting goes - not brilliant!
Can be had quite cheaply on DVD and worth buying - not seen it on any of the TV channels, so perhaps DVD is the way to go.
The Voice in the Night
(1941)
Still worth watching
29 October 2008
This film is currently turning up regularly on Film4 in the UK. It's still worth watching for a flavour of the sort of stuff bring shown during the second world war. Not too propagandist - in fact most of the bad things shown proved to be fact when the war was won.
Incidentally, one reviewer seems to think that the doctor was German - he was in fact Austrian (like Mr. Hitler!).
I didn't realise that the action was taking place in Austria as one reviewer tells us.
Like others I had no problem with the actors not trying to speak with German accents. I prefer this to half the cast speaking the Queen's (or should it be King's) English and all the 'baddies' speaking with 'evil' German accents.
At the date of this comment the film is appearing on Film4.
Incidentally, one reviewer seems to think that the doctor was German - he was in fact Austrian (like Mr. Hitler!).
I didn't realise that the action was taking place in Austria as one reviewer tells us.
Like others I had no problem with the actors not trying to speak with German accents. I prefer this to half the cast speaking the Queen's (or should it be King's) English and all the 'baddies' speaking with 'evil' German accents.
At the date of this comment the film is appearing on Film4.
The Desperate Men
(1958)
Worth watching
14 June 2008
Just watched this movie on UK satellite channel "Movies for Men". Not come across it before and found it quite entertaining. Lee Patterson is always worth a look and it seemed strange to see perennial bit part player Madden in a more major role, albeit in a comparatively minor film. I tend to side with the contributor who suggests that the injury to Madden's arm was sustained when Patterson was cornered in the living room by the six coppers. The violent part of the scene could have been axed by the censors (or even the TV company as it was shown on daytime TV). It would not be the first time either that a TV company has clipped a film to fit into broadcasting schedules. Maybe someone more in the know could put our minds at rest!
The Inspector General
(1949)
The inspector General
28 April 2008
I am a fan of Danny Kaye, but I have to say that this is one of his poorest films. Too many silly songs which don't do justice to his fine voice and a weak plot line. "The Court Jester" and "Walter Mitty" are far superior. However, the finest Danny Kaye film in my humble view is "Hans Christian Anderson". The stories of Anderson are timeless and the songs in the film were big hits at the time and have since become classics (Inch Worm, Ugly Duckling, Thumbellina, I'm Hans Christian Anderson, etc.). Danny Kaye was a crooner almost in the Crosby class and his talents are wasted in the "Inspector General". The odd silly song is o.k, but there are too many in this film.
The Model Murder Case
(1963)
The Girl In The Headlines
9 April 2008
I think the criticisms of this film are a bit strong. We have to remember that 45 years have elapsed since it was made and our tastes have become more sophisticated with the diet of increasingly slick and clever movies and TV series that we now enjoy. I think Hendry plays the detective role well - sort of laid back and not falling into the cliché characterisations of the time. He is a Jaguar driving opera loving detective (now which more modern detective series does that remind you of?). I had not seen this film before watching it the other day on Movies4Men (UK) and enjoyed it for what it was - a fairly entertaining movie from the early 60's.
The Dustbinmen
(1969–1970)
Pseudo bad language
15 February 2008
Unlike 'naffing' and 'frigging' which appear to have been made up by the writers to suggest more abusive language, the word 'pigging' was used in the north of England before the TV versions, and still is. My aunt is 78 and she still uses this word when she gets annoyed, and has done for as long as I can remember. Certainly well before the Dustbin Men hit our screens. I think we should remember that in the era when the programme was made our perceptions of what was funny were different, and looking back now at something from so long ago should be done with this in mind. Phoenix Nights and such similar shows should not be compared with stuff of yesteryear. It's a bit like comparing George Best and Wayne Rooney - different eras with different sets of values.
The Green Helmet
(1961)
Good one for motoring history fans
19 January 2008
This movie still crops up on British TV from time to time. Watched it just yesterday in fact. A goof not mentioned before is when the twin headlamp racing car crashes. As it rolls over and off the track, it suddenly becomes a single headlamp model! A passable film, but obviously very dated now. It is useful of course to those who are interested in motor racing history. Some good shots of the famous marques close up, and a rare appearance by the legendary Jack Brabham. Nostalgic memories stirred by names like Hillman, Singer, Humber, Sunbeam advertised around the Siverstone track. Never quite understood how Bill Travers did so well in his career. Always seemed a bit wooden to me. Script calls for Sid James to use the Aussie word 'Sport' in almost every sentence, which gets a bit boring.
So Well Remembered
(1947)
Buying the Video
15 November 2007
A web search for Hectic House Records will bring up their website. They are based in Macclesfield and on their site is some excellent detail about the film with some stills included. You can order the VHS tape on line or they give addresses of stockists if you live in the UK and are within striking distance of Maclesfield. It's worth asking if they have it on DVD yet - I wouldn't be surprised if they have. Because they are based in Macclesfield, Cheshire, England, they have a good reason for keeping the film alive as all the exterior footage was shot in the area and it provides an excellent historical record of how the town looked in the 1940's. Try www.macc.me.uk to find them.
The History of Mr. Polly
(1949)
John Mills did get deserved credit!
9 November 2007
I echo all the good things said about this brilliant film. As for the contributor who claimed Mills did not receive enough credit in his career. . . the man was given a knighthood - how much credit does one need? As I write this comment, the film is being shown (yet again) on the Film 4 TV channel. It's one of those films (and there are many of them) which one can watch year after year and still find it entertaining, despite knowing each scene by heart. Since I discovered that a version of the film was planned and then abandoned in Hollywood with Charles Laughton in the title role, I can't help imagining Laughton speaking the lines as I watch the excellent John Mills.
The Boy and the Bridge
(1959)
The Boy and the Bridge - 1959
31 August 2006
Warning: Spoilers
WARNING: This is most of the storyline. However, the chance of it spoiling the film for you is minimal as it seems to have vanished from the face of the earth! The Boy and the Bridge was a British film released in 1959. The story line concerns a schoolboy, Tommy Doyle (Ian McLaine) who runs away from home in the East End of London following a blazing row with his father (Liam Redmond) with whom he lives. The boy wants some money (can't remember what for) but father is hard up and has to refuse. The boy's parting words to his father are "I wish you were dead!". The film then follows the boy on his adventures around London. Lots of location stuff around Covent Garden (where he pinches an apple because he's hungry), the Fish Market, Tower of London (where he watches the changing of the guard) and on the banks of the Thames. As the day draws on, the cold and hungry the boy slinks home with his tail between his legs, but as he rounds the corner into the terraced street he sees two men carrying a coffin out of the house and into a hearse. His words echo back into his head "I wish you were dead" and he runs off in a blind panic thinking his curse has killed father. However, when the camera pans back to the house a different angle shows the 'coffin' to be a grandfather clock and the 'hearse' is simply a plain black van. His father is actually selling his prized clock to raise money to grant the boy's request. It is now dark and Tommy's father has informed the police about the boy's disappearance. The boy passes a news stand and sees the headline "Police search for missing boy" obviously he thinks he is now wanted for murder! Tired and scared he finds himself on the banks of the Thames and crawls under the tarpaulin cover of a barge where he sleeps the night away. The hustle and bustle of the Thames wakes him up next morning and more adventures follow with him trying to avoid the police. Finally, as darkness falls for the second night, he witnesses the "Ceremony of the Queen's Keys" at the Tower of London which seems to be when the day shift Beefeaters hand over to their night shift colleagues. Eventually, Tommy is wandering across Tower Bridge when he spots a policeman approaching from the other end. He ducks into a doorway and as he leans on the door it swings open and he darts inside to hide. He hears noises from below and descends the stone steps into the area where the bridge mechanism is contained. At one stage he almost gets crushed as the massive counterweight swings towards him as the bridge opens. There are three engineers down there (one played by Arthur Lowe) and while they're not looking, the boy nicks their sandwiches causing a row as the engineers blame each other for the theft. The boy then goes back up stairs and carries on up a few flights where he finds a disused room and beds down for the night. Next morning he his awakened by a tapping noise and realises that he is at the top of one of the towers and a seagull is pecking at the window. He opens the window and finally coaxes the seagull in with the remains of the sandwiches and they become friends (the seagull appears in the credits on screen as "Sammy The Seagull"). The boy tidies up the room and makes it a proper home from home. Comedy is provided by a Thames tugboat captain (James Hayter) who keeps seeing a face at the window at the top of the tower, and even washing out to dry at one point. However, every time he shouts his crew up from below to look there is nothing to see and they just think he's been at the whisky! Eventually the boy is discovered and as in all good films of this kind, he is re-united with dad, and they all live happily ever after. Regarding the music backing - I think it was mainly from a hand operated street barrel organ. Sorry if this seems a little sketchy, but I only saw it once about 50 years ago, so it must have had something to stay with me all these years! I personally don't remember it appearing on TV, but the British Film Institute appears to have a print of it and they say it may be released for TV or DVD if they can sort out who owns the rights to it.
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