Solo for Sparrow | |
---|---|
Directed by | Gordon Flemyng |
Written by | Roger Marshall |
Based on | novel The Gunner by Edgar Wallace [1] |
Produced by | Jack Greenwood Abhinandan Nikhanj |
Starring | Anthony Newlands |
Cinematography | Bert Mason |
Edited by | Robert Jordan Hill |
Music by | Bernard Ebbinghouse |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Anglo-Amalgamated Film Distributors (U.K.) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 56 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Solo for Sparrow is a 1962 British second feature ('B') [2] crime film directed by Gordon Flemyng and starring Glyn Houston, Anthony Newlands and Nadja Regin, with Michael Caine in an early supporting role. [3] [4] It was written by Roger Marshall based on the 1928 Edgar Wallace novel The Gunner, and produced by Jack Greenwood and Abhinandan Nikhanj as part of the Edgar Wallace Mysteries series. [5]
The film was released in America in 1966, when the producers capitalised on Caine's new-found fame and released it with his name above the title. [6]
Inspector Sparrow is a provincial detective. When crooks accidentally kill a shop cashier while stealing the keys to the jewellery shop where she works, Sparrow takes his annual leave and works on the case unofficially. He successfully tracks down the criminals and turns them over to Scotland Yard.
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Fairly routine case of crime and punishment in the Edgar Wallace series, with the sudden flashes of imagination that often redeem these purely commercial operations. Some of the minor crooks are quite skilfully drawn, and a starkly staged interview between Sparrow and a billiard-playing informer is conceived with a real flair for the sinister effect. The thrills are predictable, and the climactic rescue couldn't have been better timed if John Wayne were leading the U.S. Cavalry. But Glyn Houston gives a sturdy performance as Sparrow, and the whole thing is diverting enough." [7]
Glyndwr Desmond Houston was a Welsh actor best known for his television work. He was the younger brother of film actor Donald Houston.
Gordon William Flemyng was a Scottish television and film director. He was also a writer and producer. He directed six theatrical features, several television films and numerous episodes of television series, some of which he also wrote and produced.
Payroll is a 1961 British neo-noir crime thriller film directed by Sidney Hayers and starring Michael Craig, Françoise Prévost, and Billie Whitelaw. The screenplay by George Baxt was adapted from Derek Bickerton's 1959 novel of the same name. The film revolves around a group of criminals who plan and execute a wages robbery, which ultimately ends in disaster.
The Fur Collar is a 1962 British second feature thriller film directed by Lawrence Huntington and starring John Bentley, Martin Benson and Philip Friend.
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Five To One is a 1963 British second feature ('B') crime film directed by Gordon Flemyng and starring Lee Montague, Ingrid Hafner and John Thaw. It was made at Merton Park Studios as part of the long-running series of Edgar Wallace adaptations. The screenplay was by Roger Marshall, based on the 1928 Wallace story The Thief in the Night.
Locker Sixty-Nine is a 1962 British film directed by Norman Harrison and starring Eddie Byrne and Paul Daneman. It was written by Richard Harris based on a story by Edgar Wallace. It was an episode of the Edgar Wallace Mysteries series.
The Malpas Mystery is a 1960 British second feature ('B') crime film, directed by Sidney Hayers and starring Maureen Swanson and Allan Cuthbertson. The screenplay was by Paul Tabori and Gordon Wellesley, based on the 1924 Edgar Wallace novel The Face in the Night.
The Gunner is a 1928 crime novel by the British writer Edgar Wallace.
Man Detained is a 1961 British second feature ('B') crime film directed by Robert Tronson and starring Bernard Archard, Elvi Hale and Paul Stassino. The screenplay was by Richard Harris, based on the 1916 Edgar Wallace novel A Debt Discharged. It is part of the series of Edgar Wallace Mysteries films made at Merton Park Studios from 1960 to 1965.
The Fourth Square is a 1961 British second feature crime film directed by Allan Davis and starring Conrad Phillips, Natasha Parry and Delphi Lawrence. The screenplay was by James Eastwood, based on the 1929 Edgar Wallace novel Four Square Jane. It is part of the series of Edgar Wallace Mysteries films made at Merton Park Studios from 1960 to 1965.
Partners in Crime is a 1961 British second feature ('B') crime film directed by Peter Duffell and starring Bernard Lee, Moira Redmond and John Van Eyssen. The screenplay was by Robert Banks Stewart, based on the 1918 Edgar Wallace novel The Man Who Knew. It is part of the series of Edgar Wallace Mysteries films made at Merton Park Studios from 1960 to 1965.
Playback is a 1962 British crime film directed by Quentin Lawrence and starring Margit Saad, Barry Foster and Nigel Green. It was written by Robert Banks Stewart based on a short story by Edgar Wallace, and was part of the Edgar Wallace Mysteries film series.
The Verdict is a 1964 British mystery thriller film directed by David Eady and starring Cec Linder, Zena Marshall and Nigel Davenport. Part of the Edgar Wallace Mysteries film series made at Merton Park Studios, the film's sets were designed by the art director Peter Mullins.
Number Six is a 1962 British film directed by Robert Tronson and starring Nadja Regin, Ivan Desny and Brian Bedford. It is part of the series of Edgar Wallace Mysteries films made at Merton Park Studios.
The £20,000 Kiss is a 1962 British film directed by John Moxey and starring Dawn Addams, Michael Goodliffe and Richard Thorp. Part of the series of Edgar Wallace Mysteries films made at Merton Park Studios, it is based on a story by Wallace.
The Partner is a 1963 British film directed by Gerard Glaister and starring Yoko Tani, Guy Doleman and Ewan Roberts. Part of the series of Edgar Wallace Mysteries films made at Merton Park Studios, it is based on a 1926 novel A Million Dollar Story by Wallace.
Downfall is a 1964 British second feature film directed by John Moxey and starring Maurice Denham, Nadja Regin and T. P. McKenna. Part of the series of Edgar Wallace Mysteries films made at Merton Park Studios, it is based on a story by Wallace.