Distant Trumpet

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Distant Trumpet
Distant Trumpet.jpg
Directed by Terence Fisher
Screenplay by Derek Elphinstone
Story byDerek Elphinstone
Produced byDerek Elphinstone
Harold Richmond
Starring Derek Bond
CinematographyGordon Lang
Edited by John Seabourne
Music byDavid Jenkins
Kenneth V. Jones (composer: additional music - uncredited)
Production
company
Meridian Films
Distributed byApex Film Distributors (UK)
Release date
  • July 1952 (1952-07)(UK)
Running time
63 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Distant Trumpet is a 1952 British second feature ('B') [1] drama film directed by Terence Fisher and starring Derek Bond and Jean Patterson. [2] [3] It was written by Derek Elphinstone.

Contents

Plot

A Harley Street doctor answers the call to perform medical missionary work in Africa, taking over from his indisposed brother. [4]

Cast

Reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "This film is decidedly amateurish in story, in treatment, and apart from Derek Bond, in acting." [5]

Kine Weekly wrote: "Stiff-upper-lip romantic drama, with a clinical fringe. The picture is nearly all talk – a glimpse of Kensington Gardens and an African outpost are the only exteriors – but the dialogue is intelligent and the interplay of character neat. Derek Bond has an agreeable bedside manner as David; Derek Elphinstone convinces as the zealous Richard; and Jean Patterson looks attractive in white as Valerie. The supporting types are slightly overdrawn, but nevertheless provide effective, if occasionally unintentional, light relief." [6]

Picture Show wrote: "It is rather slow moving but good performances are given by the leading players." [7]

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "mediocre", writing: "so poorly acted it loses one's interest." [8]

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References

  1. ↑ Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 127. ISBN   978-1-8445-7319-6.
  2. ↑ "Distant Trumpet". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  3. ↑ "Distant Trumpet (1952)". BFI. Archived from the original on 16 February 2017.
  4. ↑ "Distant Trumpet (1952) - Terence Fisher". AllMovie.
  5. ↑ "Distant Trumpet" . The Monthly Film Bulletin . Vol. 19, no. 216. 1 January 1952. p. 109 – via ProQuest.
  6. ↑ "Distant Trumpet" . Kine Weekly . Vol. 424, no. 2349. 3 July 1952. p. 24 – via ProQuest.
  7. ↑ "Distant Trumpet" . Picture Show . Vol. 59, no. 1539. 27 September 1952. p. 10 – via ProQuest.
  8. ↑ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 302. ISBN   0-7134-1874-5.
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