Dial 999 (1955 film)

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Dial 999
Dial 999 film poster.jpg
US theatrical release poster
Directed by Montgomery Tully
Written byMontgomery Tully
Based onthe novel, The Way Out
by Bruce Graeme
Produced by Alec C. Snowden
Starring Gene Nelson
Mona Freeman
John Bentley
Cinematography Phil Grindrod
Edited byGeoffrey Miller
Music byRichard Taylor
Production
company
Distributed by Anglo-Amalgamated (UK) [1]
RKO Radio Pictures (US)
Release dates
December 1955 (UK)
  • 11 April 1956 (1956-04-11) [2]
(US)
Running time
89 minutes (Dial 999)
78 minutes (The Way Out)
CountryGreat Britain
LanguageEnglish

Dial 999 (U.S title: The Way Out ) is a 1955 British 'B' movie [3] crime drama film directed and written by Montgomery Tully and starring Gene Nelson, Mona Freeman and John Bentley. [4] It was based on the novel of the same name by Bruce Graeme. Produced by Todon Productions, it was shot at the Merton Park Studios in London. RKO Radio Pictures purchased the rights to distribute it in the United States, where it was released in cut form on 11 April 1956.[ citation needed ]

Contents

Plot

Greg Carradine tells his wife Terry that he has accidentally killed a man during a drunken fight. Terry tries to hide Greg, despite finding out that he in fact deliberately killed the man – a bookmaker to whom he owed money. Wanted by the police, Greg tries to flee the country via "The Way Out", a secret escape route for criminals. But he panics, and the police catch up with him.

Cast

Critical reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "An uninspired and novelettish thriller, taken at such a slow pace that not even the final chase develops any real excitement. Mona Freeman cannot do much with the loyal wife, and Gene Nelson is inclined to overplay as the thoroughly unlikable Greg." [5]

Kine Weekly wrote: "There are a few inconsistencies In Its script, but most of the players are on their toes and vital teamwork leads to genuine heart throbs, plus ultimate tension. ... The picture stretches credulity to the full, but, despite the fact that the behaviour of some of its leading characters is a little odd and that the police give them too much rope, it furnishes moving and exciting thick thick ear." [6]

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "good", writing: "Seat-gripper thriller whose tension increases nicely." [7]

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References

  1. ↑ Vagg, Stephen (12 January 2025). "Forgotten British Moguls: Nat Cohen – Part One (1905-56)". Filmink. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  2. ↑ "The Way Out: Detail View". American Film Institute. Archived from the original on 29 March 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
  3. ↑ Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 145. ISBN   978-1-8445-7319-6.
  4. ↑ "Dial 999". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  5. ↑ "Dial 999". The Monthly Film Bulletin . 23 (264): 7. 1 January 1956 – via ProQuest.
  6. ↑ "Dial 999" . Kine Weekly . 465 (2529): 190. 15 December 1955 – via ProQuest.
  7. ↑ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 301. ISBN   0-7134-1874-5.
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