Barbados Quest

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Barbados Quest
Barbados Quest (1955 film).jpg
Original U.S. poster
Directed by Bernard Knowles
Screenplay by Kenneth Hayles
Produced by Robert S. Baker
Monty Berman
Starring
CinematographyMonty Berman
Edited byJack Slade
Production
companies
The Barbour Corporation Ltd.
Cipa Productions (uncredited)
Distributed by RKO Radio Pictures
Release date
  • July 1955 (1955-07)(UK)
Running time
70 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Barbados Quest (U.S. title: Murder On Approval) is a 1955 British crime drama film directed by Bernard Knowles and starring Tom Martin and Delphi Lawrence. [1] [2] It was written by Kenneth Hayles. Martin played the same role in a sequel, Breakaway (1955).

Contents

Plot

An American philatelist pays £10,000 (£331,000 in 2023 [3] ) for what he thinks is a rare postage stamp. After he becomes concerned of its authenticity, he employs detective Tom "Duke" Martin to investigate. [4]

Cast

Critical reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "This confused and rather tiresome production introduces Tom Conway in what may be the first of a series similar to his Falcon thrillers. The character of "The Duke" is scarcely distinguishable from the other; and his sophistication appears as spurious, and his humorous and romantic moments as irritating, as his predecessor's. Apart from a few "shock" cuts, the treatment is generally unadventurous, the earlier sequences in particular lacking action and variety. Among the supporting players, Michael Balfour wrings the utmost out of some miserable light relief." [5]

Kine Weekly wrote: "The picture is far from crystal clear, but it packs widely assorted types into its plot and the brisk interplay of character, leading to spectacular gunplay, enables it to circumsvent flat spots. Tom Conway has an engaging manner and acts confidently as Duke, Delphi Lawrence disarms as the comely, yet unscrupulous, Jean, Brian Worth registers as Blake, and Michael Balfour amuses as Barney. The settings are suitably varied, the dialogue has an edge and the climax carries a kick." [6]

TV Guide noted "An inept mystery." [7]

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References

  1. "Barbados Quest". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  2. "Barbados Quest (1955)". Archived from the original on 3 September 2017.
  3. UK Retail Price Index inflation figures are based on data from Clark, Gregory (2017). "The Annual RPI and Average Earnings for Britain, 1209 to Present (New Series)". MeasuringWorth . Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  4. "Barbados Quest". britmovie.co.uk.
  5. "Barbados Quest" . The Monthly Film Bulletin . 22 (252): 122. 1 January 1955 via ProQuest.
  6. "Barbados Quest" . Kine Weekly . 460 (2506): 17. 7 July 1955 via ProQuest.
  7. "Murder On Approval". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on 9 October 2017.