Brass Monkey (film)

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Brass Monkey
Brass Monkey VideoCover.jpeg
Directed by Thornton Freeland
dialogue director
Denny Freeman
Written by Alec Coppel
additional dialogue
William Freshman
Vernon Sylvaine
Robert Buckland
Based onan original story by Alec Coppel
Thornton Freeland
Produced by N.A. Bronsten
associate
John R. Sloan
Starring Carroll Levis
Carole Landis
Herbert Lom
Cinematography Basil Emmott
Edited byDavid Hawkins
Music byDr. Bernard Grun
Distributed by United Artists
Release date
  • 1949 (1949)(UK)
Running time
100 min.
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Brass Monkey (also known as The Lucky Mascot) is a 1948 British comedy thriller film with musical asides, directed by Thornton Freeland. [1] It stars Carroll Levis, a radio variety show host and talent scout (known as "Britain's favourite Canadian")[ citation needed ] and American actress Carole Landis in her last film. It features an early appearance by comic actor Terry-Thomas, playing himself. [2]

Contents

Though made in 1948, Brass Monkey was not released in the US until 1951. [3] [4]

Plot

Popular radio presenter Carroll Levis, and Kay Sheldon find themselves entangled in a web of smuggling and murder. When a priceless "brass monkey" is stolen from a Japanese temple and smuggled into England, Levis encounters the eccentric Mr. Ryder-Harris, a Buddhist art connoisseur who's chasing the artefact, and will apparently stop at nothing to get it. The monkey is missing and suspicious murders are being committed in the hunt for its retrieval. With the help of the Discoveries radio talent, Levis attempts to avoid murderous henchman Herbert Lom, and foil Mr. Ryder-Harris's plans. Amongst all the mayhem, an array of musical and comedy performers audition for and appear on The Levis Hour, the hero's weekly radio programme. [2] [3] [5] [6]

Cast

Production

Landis arrived in England to make the film in August 1947. [7] Landis reportedly said that she encouraged the English actors to speak more slowly so that U.S. audiences could understand them. [8]

Songs

Critical reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "A mixture of variety acts and thriller, amateurishly made." [9]

In a contemporary review, The Geraldton Guardian called the film a "well told story." [6]

The Radio Times Guide to Films Tony Sloman gave the film 2/5 stars, writing: "This is a bizarre combination of a Saki-esque parable and a vehicle for radio talent scout Carroll Levis." [10]

Time Out called the film a "ramshackle support feature", and concluded it was "a curio, but not really a collectible." [11]

Sky Movies wrote, "a rough (very rough) and tumble British comedy-thriller spun round the then popular shows featuring Carroll Levis. ... Not much as a film ... But of undoubted interest for its extraordinary cast." [12]

References

  1. ↑ "Brass Monkey". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  2. 1 2 "The Lucky Mascot Review". Movies.tvguide.com. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Brass Monkey 1948 | Britmovie | Home of British Films". Britmovie. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  4. ↑ "Lucky Mascot | BFI | BFI". Explore.bfi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 12 July 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  5. ↑ "Brass Monkey (The Lucky Mascot) (1947-England) [VHS]: Terry-Thomas, Ernest Thesiger, Herbert Lom, Carole Landis, Carroll Levis: Movies & TV". Amazon. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  6. 1 2 "29 Aug 1950 – Radio Theatre Talkies Current Attractions REVIEW". Geraldton Guardian. 29 August 1950. Retrieved 12 March 2014– via Trove.
  7. ↑ THOMAS F. BRADY (20 August 1947). "STUDIO TO REFILM SCENES IN PICTURE: Eagle Lion, in Agreement With Fox Will Retake Sequences in Completed Melodrama". New York Times. p. 24.
  8. ↑ "Sanders In Britain For Filming Of Maugham Book". Truth . No. 3021. New South Wales, Australia. 14 December 1947. p. 55. Retrieved 30 April 2016– via National Library of Australia.
  9. ↑ "Brass Monkey". The Monthly Film Bulletin . 18 (204): 219. 1 January 1951. ProQuest   1305814334.
  10. ↑ Radio Times Guide to Films (18th ed.). London: Immediate Media Company. 2017. p. 126. ISBN   9780992936440.
  11. ↑ "The Brass Monkey | review, synopsis, book tickets, showtimes, movie release date | Time Out London". Timeout.com. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  12. ↑ "The Brass Monkey – Sky Movies HD". Skymovies.sky.com. 7 May 2003. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
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