Dangerous Cargo

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Dangerous Cargo
Dangerous Cargo.jpg
Directed by John Harlow
Written by Percy Hoskins
Stanley Haynes
Produced byStanley Haynes
Starring Jack Watling
Susan Stephen
Karel Stepanek
Cinematography Lionel Banes
Edited by Adam Dawson
Production
company
Distributed by Monarch Film Corporation
Release date
  • 21 June 1954 (1954-06-21)
Running time
61 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Dangerous Cargo is a 1954 British black and white second feature ('B') [1] crime film directed by John Harlow starring Jack Watling, Susan Stephen and Karel Stepanek. [2] The film was written by Daily Express crime reporter Percy Hoskins and Stanley Haynes, [1] and produced by Haynes for ACT Films.

Contents

Plot

Security man Tim Matthews works at London Airport. His wartime friend Harry, now a criminal working for master crook Pliny, forces him to reveal the details of the next gold shipment through the airport. Matthews' wife tells the police, who let the robbery plan unfold. When the gang get to the airport to steal the gold, the police are waiting.

Cast

Production

The film was shot at Walton Studios near London with sets designed by the art director Don Russell.

Critical reception

Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "A rather pedestrian "crook " story of a familiar type. Susan Stephen, as Janie Matthews, engagingly makes the most of a flimsy part." [3]

Kine Weekly wrote: "Compact, skilfully carpentered romantic crime melodrama. ... Warm domestic byplay neatly balances the rough stuff and, together with authentic detail, contributes to a happy, thrill-packed climax. Women, as well as men, should find the lively capsule easy to swallow and digest ... Jack Watling thoroughly convinces as the true-blue, though completely ingenuous Tim, Susan Stephen makes an engaging Jane, and Karel Stcpanck is in his clement as the evil Pliny. Supporting players, too, are natural, Colourful dog racing and nightclub sequences effectively punctuate tender fireside scenes, and contrast subtly underlines the moral of the salutary closely knit tale." [4]

Picturegoer wrote: "Crime and domesticity seldom make good partners, but in this lively little melodrama the marriage definitely proves fruitful.  ... Jack Watling and Susan Staplen work smoothly and, together with a sound supporting cast, bring pathos and point to the play." [5]

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "average", writing: "Bright performances lift ordinary melodrama." [6]

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References

  1. 1 2 Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 106. ISBN   978-1-8445-7319-6.
  2. ↑ "Dangerous Cargo". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  3. ↑ "Dangerous Cargo". Monthly Film Bulletin . 21 (240): 103. 1954 – via ProQuest.
  4. ↑ "Dangerous Cargo". Kine Weekly . 446 (2448): 20. 27 May 1954 – via ProQuest.
  5. ↑ "Dangerous Cargo" . Picturegoer . 28: 21. 1 July 1954 – via ProQuest.
  6. ↑ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 298. ISBN   0-7134-1874-5.
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