An interesting film which almost becomes a really nasty thriller, anticipating Performance. But then it goes a bit weak. So not quite They Made me a Fugitive.
At the centre is a vicious but untouchable Italian Soho gangster, Joseph Calleia (Touch of Evil), and his sidekick, rapid-talking cut-your-throat-from-ear-to-ear Nigel Patrick (Trio, Pandora and the Flying Dutchman, The Browning Version, Encore, Sapphire, The Trials of Oscar Wilde). Pitted against these, journalist Carole Landis and her fiance Derek Farr, detective Stanley Holloway.
Quite nasty in suggestions of knuckle-dusters, high murder rate, death of girl in gymnasium, but descends into a Boy's Own dust up between gang members in a night club, and a model (Carol van Derman) losing her dress. Shame as great scenes such as wannabe police informer Ruth Nixon (her only film) at nightclub being 'disappeared' to sad French song. With John Slater, Edward Rigby (briefly), Leslie Bradley, Hay Petrie (as menacing killer 'Basher').
Greville was French. DP Hone Glendinning, shot at Warner Bros. Teddington. Written by Richard Llewelyn from his stage play in which Patrick also acted.
No comments:
Post a Comment