The Green Carnation (film)

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The Green Carnation
The Green Carnation film Theatrical release poster (1954-2).jpg
Directed by John Lemont
Written by Paul Erickson
Produced by William N. Boyle
Starring
Cinematography Basil Emmott
Edited by John Seabourne Sr.
Music by Lambert Williamson
Production
company
William N. Boyle Productions
Distributed by Republic Pictures
Release date
  • 1 November 1954 (1954-11-01)
Running time
62 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
Language English

The Green Carnation (also known as The Green Buddha[ citation needed ]) is a 1954 British second feature ('B') [1] crime film directed by John Lemont and starring Wayne Morris, Mary Germaine and Marcia Ashton. [2] It was written by Paul Erickson and distributed by Republic Pictures

Contents

Plot

A criminal gang steal a priceless green Buddha statuette from a London exhibition. When nightclub singer Vivien Blake's boyfriend Gary Holden is assaulted by one of the gang, they go in search of the thieves. Vivien is kidnapped, and the chase leads to Battersea Pleasure Gardens where two of the villians are killed. Gary and Vivien receive a reward.

Cast

Production

The film's sets were designed by John Stoll.

Reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "An involved but exuberant penny-dreadful thriller." [3]

Kine Weekly wrote: "Nutshell crime melodrama, describing a desperate fight among crooks for a rare Buddha. Its leading characters occasionally trip over each other, but a wide variety of London and country backgrounds partly atones for an over-crowded plot. Nothing if not eventful, it'll keep the middiebrows on the qui vive. ... The picture tells a very involved story, but its constant change of scene gives colour, if not complete conviction, to its rough stuff. Wayne Morris, the American star, makes the most of a far from flattering role as Gary, Mary Germaine pleases as Vivien, and Walter Rilla contributes a polished cameo as the wily Olsen." [4]

Picturegoer wrote: "Wayne Morris, as tough and taciturn as ever, makes good in this rather indifferent crime melodrama." [5]

Leslie Halliwell wrote "Fair second feature thick-ear." [6]

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "mediocre", writing: "What seems to be a quadruple cross is the only new element in this very familiar-looking material." [7]

References

  1. ↑ Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 231. ISBN   978-1-8445-7319-6.
  2. ↑ "The Green Carnation". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
  3. ↑ "The Green Carnation". The Monthly Film Bulletin . 21 (240): 178. 1 January 1954. ProQuest   1305815843.
  4. ↑ "The Green Carnation". Kine Weekly . 451 (2468): 28. 14 October 1954. ProQuest   2687791434.
  5. ↑ "The Green Carnation". Picturegoer . 28: 13. 5 December 1954. ProQuest   1776993165.
  6. ↑ Halliwell, Leslie (1989). Halliwell's Film Guide (7th ed.). London: Paladin. p. 429. ISBN   0586088946.
  7. ↑ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 317. ISBN   0-7134-1874-5.
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