Little Red Monkey

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Little Red Monkey
Little Red Monkey film poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Ken Hughes
Written byJames Eastwood
Ken Hughes
Based onstory by Eric Maschwitz
Produced by Alec C. Snowden
Starring Richard Conte
Rona Anderson
Russell Napier
Sylva Langova
Cinematography Josef Ambor
Edited by Inman Hunter
Geoffrey Muller
Music by Trevor Duncan
Production
company
Distributed by Anglo-Amalgamated Film Distributors
Release date
  • 4 April 1955 (1955-04-04)
Running time
71 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Little Red Monkey (U.S. title: TheCase of the Red Monkey) is a 1955 British thriller film directed by Ken Hughes and starring Richard Conte, Rona Anderson and Russell Napier. [1] The screenplay was by Hughes and James Eastwood, based on the 1953 BBC Television series of the same name written by Eric Maschwitz. [2]

Contents

Detectives from Scotland Yard investigate a series of murders of leading nuclear scientists, and are intrigued by strange reports received about the crimes.

The film was an international hit, and along with Confession (1955) proved a breakthrough for Anglo-Amalgamated. After its success the company began making more expensive productions, often hiring American stars for international appeal. [3] [4]

Cast

Production

The film was made by Anglo-Amalgamated at Merton Park Studios, a co-production with Anglo Guild. [5] [6] [7]

Critical reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin said: "Some efficient photography and editing eke out the meagre excitements". [8]

Variety wrote: “Like many British-produced pictures, it lacks American-type pace and is a routine entry in the program market. Conte portrays a U.S. State Dept. officer  ... but displays little of the dash and ingenuity such a part calls for." [9]

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as “average” and wrote: “Conte and direction a cut above the rest in this moderately exciting thriller". [10]

The Radio Times Guide to Films gave the film 3/5 stars, writing: "Ken Hughes honed his skills as a director of thrillers working on the Scotland Yard B-movie series. Consequently, this quota quickie has a great deal more substance and style than many of its contemporaries.  ... Hughes keeps the action on the boil, while Russell Napier and Rona Anderson are fine as a Scotland Yard detective and his niece." [11]

References

  1. ↑ "Little Red Monkey". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  2. ↑ "Donald Houston and Honor Blackman in 'Little Red Monkey'". BBC Genome Project . Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  3. ↑ Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 99. ISBN   978-1-8445-7319-6.
  4. ↑ Vagg, Stephen (14 November 2020). "Ken Hughes Forgotten Auteur". Filmink.
  5. ↑ Drama: Maggie McNamara Due Soon for 'Black Widow'; Conte Set for Thriller. Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 30 Apr 1954: A11
  6. ↑ Todon Doing 6th Picture Los Angeles Times 5 Feb 1956: D3.
  7. ↑ Vagg, Stephen (12 January 2025). "Forgotten British Moguls: Nat Cohen – Part One (1905-56)". Filmink. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  8. ↑ "Impact". Monthly Film Bulletin . 22 (253): 40. 1 January 1955.
  9. ↑ "Little Red Monkey". Variety . 199: 6. August 1955.
  10. ↑ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 339. ISBN   0-7134-1874-5.
  11. ↑ Radio Times Guide to Films (18th ed.). London: Immediate Media Company. 2017. p. 365. ISBN   9780992936440.
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