For the 1917, 1939 and 1976 films of the same name see Fighting Mad.
Fighting Mad | |
---|---|
Directed by | Denis Kavanagh |
Screenplay by | Jennifer Whyatt |
Produced by | E.J. Fancey Edwin Scott |
Starring | Joe Robinson Adrienne Scott Jack Taylor |
Cinematography | Hal Morey |
Edited by | Monica Kimick |
Music by | Jackie Brown |
Production company | Border Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 53 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Fighting Mad is a 1957 British 'B' [1] film directed by Denis Kavanagh and starring Joe Robinson, Adrienne Scott and Jack Taylor. [2] It was produced by E.J. Fancey and Edwin Scott.
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.
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]
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]
Dangerous Cargo is a 1954 British second feature crime film directed by John Harlow starring Jack Watling, Susan Stephen and Karel Stepanek. The film was produced by Stanley Haynes for ACT Films. Daily Express crime reporter Percy Hoskins provided the story.
The Girl in the Picture is a 1957 British second feature crime film directed by Don Chaffey and starring Donald Houston and Patrick Holt.
Wings of Danger is a 1952 British second feature crime film directed by Terence Fisher and starring Zachary Scott, Robert Beatty and Kay Kendall. The screenplay, based on the 1951 novel Dead on Course by Trevor Dudley Smith and Packham Webb, concerns a pilot who is suspected of smuggling. It was released in the United States under its working title of Dead on Course.
The Steel Key is a 1953 British second feature thriller film directed by Robert S. Baker and starring Terence Morgan, Joan Rice and Raymond Lovell.
On the Run is a 1958 second feature British drama film directed by Ernest Morris and starring Neil McCallum, Susan Beaumont and William Hartnell. A boxer who becomes romantically involved with a woman.
Hammer the Toff is a 1952 British second feature crime film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring John Bentley and Patricia Dainton. The film was based on the 1947 novel of the same name by John Creasey, the 17th in the series featuring upper-class sleuth Richard Rollinson, also known as "The Toff".
Burnt Evidence is a 1954 British second feature thriller film directed by Daniel Birt and starring Jane Hylton, Duncan Lamont and Donald Gray. It was produced by Ronald Kinnoch for ACT Films.
Three Steps to the Gallows is a 1953 British second feature crime film directed by John Gilling and starring Scott Brady, Mary Castle and Gabrielle Brune. It was released in the USA by Lippert Pictures as White Fire.
And the Same to You is a 1960 British boxing-themed comedy film directed by George Pollock and starring Brian Rix and William Hartnell. It is based on a stage farce by A.P. Dearsley.
Impulse is a 1954 British second feature film noir directed by Cy Endfield and starring Arthur Kennedy, Constance Smith and Joy Shelton.
Edwin John Fancey (1902–1980) was a British film producer and distributor. He owned the production company E.J. Fancey Productions, and the distribution company DUK. He specialised largely in producing supporting films and short subjects, often edited from or compiled from material appearing in earlier films produced by others, such as musical numbers or comedy routines.
Man Accused is a low budget 1959 British crime film directed by Mongomery Tully and starring Ronald Howard and Carol Marsh.
Over the Garden Wall is a 1950 British "B" comedy film directed by John E. Blakeley and starring Norman Evans, Jimmy James and Dan Young. Although made on a low budget, the film often topped double bills at cinemas in the North of England because of the popularity of the performers.
The Scarlet Web is a 1954 British second feature crime film directed by Charles Saunders and starring Griffith Jones, Hazel Court and Zena Marshall.
The Big Day is a 1960 black and white British "B" drama film directed by Peter Graham Scott and starring Donald Pleasence, Harry H. Corbett, Andrée Melly and Colin Gordon.
Behind the Headlines is a 1953 British crime film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring Gilbert Harding, John Fitzgerald and Adrienne Fancey.
Flannelfoot is a 1953 British crime film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring Ronald Howard, Mary Germaine and Jack Watling. It was made at Walton Studios. The film's sets were designed by John Stoll.
Devil's Bait is a 1959 black and white British "B" drama film directed by Peter Graham Scott and starring Geoffrey Keen, Jane Hylton and Gordon Jackson. It was a second feature made by the Rank Organisation.
It Happened in Soho is a 1948 British black and white low-budget B film directed by Frank Chisnell and starring Richard Murdoch and Henry Oscar. A reporter trails a multiple killer.
Not to be confused with the 1943 Canadian World War II documentary of the same name.