At my age I just love these 50s Brit-crime quota quickies: usually featuring well-known, but not internationally known, famous faces. This one is right up my street. Apart from token Yank Tom Drake, we have reliably devious Maurice Kaufman, sinister Richard Shaw, cynical William Hartnell and delightful Shirley Eaton modelling a wardrobe of eye-catching fifties fashions.
The basic plot involves Tracey (Hartnell) a professional safebreaker, pulling a job with Redman (Kaufman) and Prescott (Shaw) who are employees of the sales firm which supplies the getaway car. Afterwards Redman turns into a jelly when Inspector Matthews comes sniffing around and Prescott subsequently disposes of him. This draws more police attention, but then everything goes crazy and the action relies too much on fortuitous coincidences. Tracey tries to light a cigarette with a piece of broken drill when being interviewed (Fair cop guvnor. You got me bang to rights!) Prescott makes a pass at secretary Sue (Eaton) and is fired by boss Miles Harrington (Drake). In retaliation Prescott frames Harrington for Redman's murder and then unbelievably returns to the sales lot to retrieve his share of the loot, despite the police presence. He drags Sue away with him to his riverside hideout but is seen by his jealous girlfriend who spitefully shops him to the law. Naturally Harrington catches up with him first. Cue big punch up until police eventually arrive and Sue collapses gratefully into the arms of her boss.
Unremarkable and very predictable . Drake does not add a lot to the proceedings. It is William Hartnell's solid performance which impresses. Tracey is implacable under police interrogation, and you almost think he will get away with it! Richard Shaw also has the unsettling appearance of a real East-end gangster and Maurice Kaufman plays his usual wavering, unreliable character. But, lots of opportunities to see lovely old British cars on traffic-free streets in pre-developed London and of course, young beautiful Shirley Eaton.
The basic plot involves Tracey (Hartnell) a professional safebreaker, pulling a job with Redman (Kaufman) and Prescott (Shaw) who are employees of the sales firm which supplies the getaway car. Afterwards Redman turns into a jelly when Inspector Matthews comes sniffing around and Prescott subsequently disposes of him. This draws more police attention, but then everything goes crazy and the action relies too much on fortuitous coincidences. Tracey tries to light a cigarette with a piece of broken drill when being interviewed (Fair cop guvnor. You got me bang to rights!) Prescott makes a pass at secretary Sue (Eaton) and is fired by boss Miles Harrington (Drake). In retaliation Prescott frames Harrington for Redman's murder and then unbelievably returns to the sales lot to retrieve his share of the loot, despite the police presence. He drags Sue away with him to his riverside hideout but is seen by his jealous girlfriend who spitefully shops him to the law. Naturally Harrington catches up with him first. Cue big punch up until police eventually arrive and Sue collapses gratefully into the arms of her boss.
Unremarkable and very predictable . Drake does not add a lot to the proceedings. It is William Hartnell's solid performance which impresses. Tracey is implacable under police interrogation, and you almost think he will get away with it! Richard Shaw also has the unsettling appearance of a real East-end gangster and Maurice Kaufman plays his usual wavering, unreliable character. But, lots of opportunities to see lovely old British cars on traffic-free streets in pre-developed London and of course, young beautiful Shirley Eaton.