Dick Barton at Bay

Last updated

Dick Barton at Bay
Dick Barton at Bay (1950 film).jpg
Original trade ad in Kinematograph Weekly
Directed by Godfrey Grayson
Written byAmbrose Grayson
Produced byHenry Halstead
Starring Don Stannard
CinematographyStanley Clinton
Edited byMax Brenner
Music byRupert Grayson
Frank Spencer
Production
company
Distributed by Exclusive Films
Release date
  • 2 October 1950 (1950-10-02)
Running time
68 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Dick Barton at Bay is a 1950 British second feature ('B') [1] spy film directed by Godfrey Grayson and starring Don Stannard. [2] It was written by Ambrose Grayson and was the second of three films that Hammer Film Productions made about the British agent Dick Barton, although it was the last released, following Dick Barton: Special Agent (1948) and Dick Barton Strikes Back (1949). [3]

Contents

Plot

Captain Richard 'Dick' Barton and his wartime college 'Snowey' White, are quickly assigned to recover a kidnapped scientist and de-activate a death ray before national catastrophe triggers World War III with Britain at the heart of Hell.

Cast

Production

The film's title during production was Dick Barton vs the Death Ray. A fourth Barton film was scheduled, Dick Barton in Africa, but Don Stannard was killed in a car crash driving back from the wrap party and Hammer elected not to continue the series. [4]

Critical reception

Sky Cinema wrote: "In their rush to get Barton on to the screen, the makers, despite using the original radio serials as a basis, neglected to give the films the proper budget, resulting in Dick's adventures having an air of tatty, thick-ear melodrama which was never present for the millions of wireless devotees glued to their sets every night at 6.45pm." [5]

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "mediocre", writing: "Strictly for younger schoolboys." [6]

TV Guide noted "a simple action-adventure film that moves at an entertaining pace." [7] [ dead link ]

Allmovie called it "a far better thriller than its predecessor". [3]

Related Research Articles

Dick Barton – Special Agent is a radio thriller serial that was broadcast in the BBC Light Programme between 7 October 1946 and 30 March 1951. Produced and directed by Raymond Raikes, Neil Tuson, and Charles Lefaux, it was aired in 15-minute episodes at 6.45 each weekday evening. From 11 January 1947 an additional "omnibus" edition repeated all of the week's programmes each Saturday morning between 11.00 and 12.00. In all, 711 episodes were produced and the serial achieved a peak audience of 20 million. Its end was marked by a leading article in The Times.

<i>A Stranger Came Home</i> 1954 British film by Terence Fisher

A Stranger Came Home is a 1954 British film noir directed by Terence Fisher and starring Paulette Goddard, William Sylvester and Patrick Holt. It was written by Michael Carreras based on the 1946 novel Stranger at Home, credited to actor George Sanders but ghostwritten by Leigh Brackett. The film was released in the United States by Lippert Pictures.

Sir James "Jimmy" Enrique Carreras was a British film producer and executive who, together with William Hinds, founded the British company Hammer Film Productions. His career spanned nearly 45 years, in multiple facets of the entertainment industry until retiring in 1972.

<i>Temptation Harbour</i> 1947 British film by Lance Comfort

Temptation Harbour is a 1947 British black and white crime/drama film, directed by Lance Comfort and starring Robert Newton, Simone Simon and William Hartnell. It was adapted by Rodney Ackland and Frederick Gotfurt from Newhaven-Dieppe, the 1933 novella by Georges Simenon.

<i>White Corridors</i> 1951 British film by Pat Jackson

White Corridors is a 1951 British drama film directed by Pat Jackson and starring Googie Withers, Godfrey Tearle, James Donald and Petula Clark. It is based on the 1944 novel Yeoman's Hospital by Helen Ashton.

<i>The Stranglers of Bombay</i> 1959 British film by Terence Fisher

The Stranglers of Bombay is a 1959 British adventure horror film directed by Terence Fisher and starring Guy Rolfe, Allan Cuthbertson and Andrew Cruickshank. It was written by David Z. Goodman and produced by Hammer Films.

<i>I Believe in You</i> (film) 1952 British film by Michael Relph and Basil Dearden

I Believe in You is a 1952 British drama film directed by Michael Relph and Basil Dearden, starring Celia Johnson and Cecil Parker and is based on the book Court Circular by Sewell Stokes. Inspired by the recently successful The Blue Lamp (1950), Relph and Dearden used a semi-documentary approach in telling the story of the lives of probation officers and their charges.

<i>What the Butler Saw</i> (1950 film) 1950 British film

What the Butler Saw is a 1950 British second feature ('B') comedy film directed by Godfrey Grayson and starring Edward Rigby, Henry Mollison and Mercy Haystead. The screenplay was by A.R. Rawlinson and E. J. Mason, from an original story by Roger and Donald Good. It was made by Hammer Films.

<i>The Girl Who Couldnt Quite</i> 1950 British film by Norman Lee

The Girl Who Couldn't Quite is a 1950 British drama film directed by Norman Lee and starring Bill Owen, Elizabeth Henson and Iris Hoey. The screenplay was by Norman Lee and Marjorie Deans based on the 1947 stage play of the same name by Leo Marks.

<i>Death in High Heels</i> 1947 British short film by Lionel Tomlinson

Death in High Heels is a 1947 British second feature ('B') crime film directed by Lionel Tomlinson and starring Don Stannard, Elsa Tee and Veronica Rose. It was based on the 1941 novel of the same title by Christianna Brand. It was a very early Hammer Films production and was released through Exclusive Films, Hammer's original incarnation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don Stannard</span> British actor (1915–1949)

Don Stannard was a British actor.

<i>Doctor Morelle</i> 1949 British film by Godfrey Grayson

Doctor Morelle is a 1949 British second feature ('B') mystery film directed by Godfrey Grayson and starring Valentine Dyall, Peter Drury and Hugh Griffith. Made by Hammer Films, it was written by Ambrose Grayson and Roy Plomley, based on the popular long-running BBC radio series by Ernest Dudley and starring Cecil Parker. Dudley also wrote many novels and short stories featuring the character of Morelle.

<i>Dick Barton: Special Agent</i> 1948 British film by Raymond Raikes

Dick Barton: Special Agent is a 1948 British spy film about special agent Dick Barton adapted from the hugely popular radio drama of the same name produced and directed by Raymond Raikes. It was the first of three films that Hammer Film Productions made about the British agent, followed by Dick Barton at Bay and Dick Barton Strikes Back.

<i>Dick Barton Strikes Back</i> 1949 British film by Godfrey Grayson

Dick Barton Strikes Back is a 1949 British spy film directed by Godfrey Grayson and starring Don Stannard. It was the third of three films that Hammer Film Productions made about agent Dick Barton, although it was the second released.

<i>The Blue Peter</i> (1955 film) 1955 British film by Wolf Rilla

The Blue Peter is a 1955 British film directed by Wolf Rilla and starring Kieron Moore and Greta Gynt. It was written by Don Sharp and John Pudney. It was released in the United States in December 1957. The film is about youth seamanship at the original Outward Bound in Aberdyfi, Wales, a program similar to Sea Scouting or Sea Cadets.

Room to Let is a 1950 British second feature ('B') historical thriller film directed by Godfrey Grayson and starring Jimmy Hanley, Valentine Dyall and Constance Smith. It was adapted by John Gilling and Grayson from the BBC radio play by Margery Allingham, broadcast in 1947.

<i>The Adventures of PC 49</i> 1949 British film by Godfrey Grayson

The Adventures of PC 49 is a 1949 British second feature ('B') crime film directed by Godfrey Grayson, starring Hugh Latimer, John Penrose and Annette D. Simmonds. It was written by Vernon Harris and Alan Stranks based on the popular BBC radio series by Stranks. It was followed by a sequel, A Case for PC 49, in 1951.

<i>The Temptress</i> (1949 film) 1949 British film

The Temptress is a 1949 British second feature ('B') drama film directed by Oswald Mitchell and starring Joan Maude, Arnold Bell and Don Stannard. It was written by Kathleen Butler based on the 1928 novel Juggernaut by Alice Campbell, and was made at Bushey Studios, the final film to be directed by Mitchell before his death the same year.

<i>Ill Turn to You</i> 1946 film

I'll Turn to You is a 1946 British drama film directed by Geoffrey Faithfull and starring Terry Randall, Don Stannard and Harry Welchman. A returning serviceman faces problems with his wife and his job. Although not a musical, the film has a lengthy concert segment at the end that allows the title song to wrap up the narrative.

References

  1. Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 74. ISBN   978-1-8445-7319-6.
  2. "Dick Barton at Bay". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  3. 1 2 "Dick Barton at Bay (1950) - Godfrey Grayson - Review". AllMovie.
  4. Bruce G. Hallenbeck, British Cult Cinema: Hammer Fantasy and Sci-Fi, Hemlock Books 2011 p46
  5. "Dick Barton At Bay". Find and Watch.
  6. Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 302. ISBN   0-7134-1874-5.
  7. "Dick Barton At Bay - TV Guide". TVGuide.com.