Breakaway (1955 film)

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Breakaway
Breakaway (1955 film).jpg
Original British quad poster
Directed by Henry Cass
Written by Norman Hudis
Based onan original story by Manning O'Brine
Produced by Robert S. Baker
Monty Berman
Starring Tom Conway
Michael Balfour
Honor Blackman
Brian Worth
CinematographyMonty Berman
Edited byAnne Barker
Music by Stanley Black
Ivor Slaney
Production
company
Cipa
Distributed by RKO Radio Pictures (UK)
Release date
  • 16 July 1956 (1956-07-16)(UK)
Running time
72 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Breakaway is a 1955 British second feature ('B') [1] thriller film directed by Henry Cass and starring Tom Conway, Michael Balfour and Honor Blackman. [2] [3] It was written by Norman Hudis based on a story by Manning O'Brine. [4] A private eye is hot on the tail of a stolen secret formula and a kidnapped young woman. It is a sequel to Barbados Quest (1955).

Contents

Plot

In Berlin, Johnny Matlock obtains a secret formula from a dying scientist. On his return to London, Matlock and his girlfriend Diane are attacked by a gang who steal the formula and kidnap Diane. Private investigator Tom "Duke" Martin investigates.

Cast

Critical reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "A rather confused thriller, with some familiar London locations and a number of car chases. Tom Conway and Michael Balfour give reliable performances as the private detective and his moronic partner. [5]

Kine Weekly wrote: "Stoutly carpentered story, breezy light relief, pleasing romantic touches, hearty climax and quota ticket." [6]

Today's Cinema called the film "slickly manufactured crime entertainment." [7]

TV Guide called it an "absurd whodunit". [8]

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "mediocre", writing: "Tedious thriller with regulation car chases." [9]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 89. ISBN   978-1-8445-7319-6.
  2. ↑ "Breakaway". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  3. ↑ "Breakaway (1956)". Archived from the original on 20 February 2017.
  4. ↑ "Breakaway". 16 July 1956 – via www.imdb.com.
  5. ↑ "Breakaway" . The Monthly Film Bulletin . 23 (264): 103. 1 January 1956 – via ProQuest.
  6. ↑ "Breakaway" . Kine Weekly . 471 (2552): 17. 12 July 1956 – via ProQuest.
  7. ↑ Chibnall, Stephen; McFarlane, Brian (23 October 2009). The British 'B' Film. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN   9781844575749 – via Google Books.
  8. ↑ "Breakaway". TVGuide.com.
  9. ↑ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 287. ISBN   0-7134-1874-5.
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