Fighting Mad (1957 film)

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For the 1917, 1939 and 1976 films of the same name see Fighting Mad.

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Fighting Mad
Fighting Mad film Theatrical release poster (1957).png
Theatrical release poster
Directed byDenis Kavanagh
Screenplay byJennifer Whyatt
Produced by E.J. Fancey
Edwin Scott
Starring Joe Robinson
Adrienne Scott
Jack Taylor
CinematographyHal Morey
Edited by Monica Kimick
Music byJackie Brown
Production
company
Border Films
Release date
  • 7 March 1957 (1957-03-07)
Running time
53 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Fighting Mad is a 1957 British 'B' [1] film directed by Denis Kavanagh and starring Joe Robinson, Adrienne Scott and Jack Taylor. [2] The screenplay was by Jennnifer Whyatt. It was produced by E.J. Fancey and Edwin Scott.

Plot

After killing two opponents in the ring, Glaswegian boxer Muscles Tanner decides to move with his wife to start a new life in Canada. He finds his Uncle Jake, who is prospecting for oil, being threatened by a group of lumbermen, who try to murder Muscles. With the help of the Mounted Police, Muscles defeats the gang so his uncle can stake his claim.

Cast

Critical reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Although the story contains a certain amount of roughly contrived action, its many naiveties and lack of authenticity (the locations were shot in Scotland) limit its power to excite. The acting also is sadly unprofessional; it is obvious that these Mounties have never seen Canada." [3]

Kine Weekly wrote: "Hearty alfresco thick ear ... The picture, actually made in the wilds of Scotland, has convincing lumber camp atmosphere and the natural backgrounds artfully mellow its unvarnished rough stuff. Joe Robinson displays quite a torso as Muscles, Adrienne Scott is a spirited Paula, Beckett Bould contributes an amusing cameo as Uncle Jake and Jack Taylor and Colin Cleminson are in their element as the villains. The dialogue fails to reach a high literary standard and the editing lacks polish, but the overall is nevertheless a good slogging match." [4]

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "poor", writing: "Very amateurish; with a hero called Muscles, its chances weren't high to begin with." [5]

Chibnall and McFarlane in The British 'B' Film wrote: "Jennifer Whyatt's script failed to reach literary heights, but there was enough rough stuff and spectacular background scenery to keep audiences entertained for fifty minutes." [1]

Home media

The film was released in 2019 on DVD by Renown Pictures as part of the 3-disc box set The E.J. Fancey Collection. [6]

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References

  1. 1 2 Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 120. ISBN   978-1-8445-7319-6.
  2. ↑ "Fighting Mad". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  3. ↑ "Fighting Mad". The Monthly Film Bulletin . 24 (276): 46. 1 January 1957 – via ProQuest.
  4. ↑ "Fighting Mad". Kine Weekly . 479 (2586): 19. 7 March 1957 – via ProQuest.
  5. ↑ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 309. ISBN   0-7134-1874-5.
  6. ↑ "The E J Fancey Collection". Renown Pictures. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
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