Screenplay: Relph, Dearden and Jack Whittingham, additional scenes by Nicholas Phipps, based on the novel 'Court Circular' by Sewell Stokes, derived from his own experiences as a probation officer in 1941-5.
Cecil Parker is the bored ex-civil servant who decides to try the probation lark, aided by fellow officers Celia Johnson and George Relph (the director's father), doesn't really get into it at first, then develops empathy. Encounters a number of types, particularly is involved with young Harry Fowler and tries to steer him on the straight-and-narrow. Meanwhile Johnson's coping with sex-mad bad girl Joan Collins.
With Godfrey Tearle (in court), Ursula Howells (good as drunk, mainly on stage and small screen), Laurence Harvey, Sid James, Katie Johnson, Brenda de Banzie (knew I knew her from something), Laurence Naismith.
Again, nice location stuff shot by Gordon Dines, with The Servant's Chic Waterson operating.
It's a sort of cosy drama, really, though I suppose the Harvey character adds a bit of menace. I wonder if even then it had any remote bearing on reality? (Does make me wonder what being a probationary officer now is like - living hell, I imagine.) Still enjoyable, though.
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| The mischievous looking girl earwigging on this conversation is a nice touch |
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| Not quite Joan's debut, aged about 19. Celia Johnson was - she has said - very supportive |
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