My Death Is a Mockery

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My Death Is a Mockery
My Death Is a Mockery.jpg
Directed by Tony Young
Written by Douglas Baber (novel)
Produced by David Dent
Starring
Cinematography Phil Grindrod
Edited by Lito Carruthers
Production
company
Park Lane Films
Distributed by Adelphi Films
Release date
  • 1 August 1952 (1952-08-01)
Running time
75 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
Language English

My Death Is a Mockery is a 1952 British second feature ('B') [1] crime film directed by Tony Young and starring Donald Houston, Kathleen Byron and Bill Kerr. [2] It was written by Douglas Baber from his 1952 novel of the same name.

Contents

It attracted notoriety as the film watched by Christopher Craig earlier in the day on which he shot dead a policeman during a failed burglary. [1] [3]

Synopsis

After being condemned to death, a man recounts the events that have brought him there. A struggling Brixham fisherman, he was persuaded by an Australian chancer to switch to smuggling brandy from the French coast. However the murder of a policeman rapidly leads to things falling apart.

Cast

Production

It was made at the Brighton Studios.

Critical reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Unfortunately the script, particularly at first, is rather pompous and artificial. Otherwise, the film is technically adequate and acting and direction have a certain freshness." [4]

Picturegoer wrote: "Surely stories about smuggling should pack a thrill, or else pursue a comedy course on the lines of Whisky Galore! Yet this picture does neither. ... It is all very verbose. The acting seems to lack vitality and spontaneity, and the action is dilatory and mainly unexciting. Donald Houston as the boat's captain is quite acceptable, but Kathleen Byron is completely wasted in the role of his young wife." [5]

Picture Show wrote: "It is well handled and told." [6]

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "mediocre", writing: "Drama is resolutely dark and glum, minimally entertaining." [7]

References

  1. 1 2 Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 103. ISBN   978-1-8445-7319-6.
  2. ↑ "My Death Is a Mockery". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  3. ↑ "My Death Is a Mockery". BFIplayer. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
  4. ↑ "My Death Is a Mockery". The Monthly Film Bulletin . 19 (216): 129. 1 January 1952 – via ProQuest.
  5. ↑ "My Death Is a Mockery". Picturegoer . 24: 19. 1 October 1952. ProQuest   1705160440.
  6. ↑ "My Death Is a Mockery". Picture Show . 59 (1542): 10. 18 October 1952. ProQuest   1879614017.
  7. ↑ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 350. ISBN   0-7134-1874-5.
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