Fate Takes a Hand | |
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Directed by | Max Varnel |
Written by | Brian Clemens |
Produced by | The Danzigers |
Starring |
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Cinematography | Jimmy Wilson |
Edited by | Spencer Reeve |
Production company | Danziger Productions Ltd. |
Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release date | February 1962 (UK) |
Running time | 72 min. |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Fate Takes a Hand is a 1961 British anthology drama film directed by Max Varnel and starring Ronald Howard and Christina Gregg. [1]
The recovery of a post bag stolen in a robbery fifteen years earlier has varying consequences for the lives of five of the recipients of the letters when the Post Office decides that the post should be delivered. Several lives are changed, as witnessed by a newspaper reporter and a Post Office security guard who follow up on several of the letters.
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Extravagantly unlikely omnibus film made up of five widely assorted vignettes with twist endings. The script is pat and the production values unremarkable, but the blend of comedy, drama and sentiment is bearable in an ingenuous kind of way." [2]
AllMovie called it "a throwback to the British "portmanteau" films of the 1950s." [3]
TV Guide gave the film two out of four stars, and writes that "the effect of the late letters' delivery to the recipients makes for five delightful little tales. Good performances all the way around." [4]
The Big Fisherman is a 1959 American historical drama film directed by Frank Borzage about the life of Simon Peter, one of the disciples of Jesus. Starring Howard Keel, Susan Kohner and John Saxon, the production is adapted from the 1948 novel, The Big Fisherman (book) by Lloyd C. Douglas. The film was shot at Universal-International studios but released by Buena Vista, the film releasing company of Walt Disney Productions.
Ronald William Howard is an American director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. Howard started his career as a child actor before transitioning to directing films. Over his six decade career, Howard has received two Academy Awards, four Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and a Grammy Award. He was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2003 and was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 2013. Howard has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions in film and television.
Max Varnel was a French-born Australian film and television director who worked primarily in the United Kingdom and Australia.
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