Wednesday 18 September 2024

Dancing With Crime (1947 John Paddy Carstairs)

What's with the no headlights? All the cars have funny little sidelights. I presume it's some sort of deal with rationing, but it's not an easy one to answer.

Dickie Attenborough, and his GF Sheila Sim, rashly begin to investigate the murder of their dodgy old pal Bill Owen, and get into rough stuff with crooks Barry Barnes, Barry Jones and Judy Kelly. Did notice uncredited Diana Dors and Danny Green, but not Dirk Bogarde and Jon Pertwee, who are policemen. Garry Marsh and John Warwick are policemen.

Peter Fraser's story, written by Brock Williams, is fairly routine, as is Carstairs' treatment. Cinematography by Reg Dwyter, music Benjamin Frankel. Made at Southall Film Studios, which operated until 1958. I was wondering how many sets were built / used in the making of the film. At least 30, I reckoned. Terribly done fight scenes.

A rare screen appearance from Sim, who had married Dickie in 1945 and remained so until his death in 2014. A Canterbury Tale (1944) and The Night My Number Came Up (1955) remain her most memorable films.




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