Hangman's Wharf

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Hangman's Wharf
Hangman's Wharf film Opening titles (1950).png
Opening titles
Directed by Cecil H. Williamson
Written by John Beldon
Cecil H. Williamson
Produced by Edwin J. Fancey
Starring John Witty
Genine Graham
Patience Rentoul
Campbell Singer
Cinematography Cecil H. Williamson
Production
company
Distributed by DUK
Release date
  • January 1950 (1950-01)
Running time
73 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Hangman's Wharf is a 1950 British second feature ('B') [1] crime film directed by Cecil H. Williamson and starring John Witty, Genine Graham and Campbell Singer. [2] [3] It was written by John Beldon and Williamson based on Beldon's 1948 BBC radio serial Hangman's Wharf [4] .

Contents

The story concerns a doctor called out for an emergency on a ship docked in the River Thames, where he is framed for murder.

Plot

Doctor David Galloway takes over a practice in Shadwell, and is called to the ship Villefranche, docked at Hangman's Wharf. On his arrival the ship's owner, Sir Brian Roderick, immediately orders him to leave. Galloway is subsequently suspected of the murder of Winston Merrick, but the Villefranche and Roderick have disappeared, and so has Galloway's alibi. WIth the help of reporter Alison Maxwell, Galloway sets about proving his innocence.

Cast

Production

Location shooting was done along the River Thames and at Falmouth and St Mawes. [1] The railway station at which Galloway as arrives in Cornwall was St Ives.[ citation needed ]

Reception

Kine Weekly wrote: "Lively acting takes up verbal slack and enables it to ride on an even keel to an appropriate and exciting climax. ... John Witty is inclined to shout and he is not too sure of his accent, but he, nevertheless, contributes a forthright portrayal as Galloway, and Genine Grahame is a likeable Alison. The rest are up to scratch. The cast set about the tongue-in-the-cheek crime play with obvious relish and their hearty teamwork, together with impressive shots of London's famous river, puts quite a kick into its artless blood and thunder." [5]

Picturegoer wrote: "The cast works well in what is basically complete hokum, but lines and situations do not give the players a chance to shine." [6]

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "mediocre", writing: "Filmization of a radio serial shows up all its less likely aspects." [7]

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References

  1. 1 2 Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 118. ISBN   978-1-8445-7319-6.
  2. ↑ "Hangman's Wharf". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  3. ↑ "BFI | Film & TV Database | HANGMAN'S WHARF (1950)". archive.ph. 8 July 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  4. ↑ "Hangman's Wharf". BBC Programme Index. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  5. ↑ "Hangman's Wharf" . Kine Weekly . 394 (2225): 16. 22 December 1949 – via ProQuest.
  6. ↑ "Hangman's Wharf" . Picturegoer . 19: 17. 1 April 1950 – via ProQuest.
  7. ↑ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 215. ISBN   0-7134-1874-5.
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