| Fate Takes a Hand | |
|---|---|
 Australian 1-sheet poster | |
| Directed by | Max Varnel |
| Written by | Brian Clemens |
| Produced by | The Danzigers |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Jimmy Wilson |
| Edited by | Spencer Reeve |
Production company | Danziger Productions Ltd. |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release date |
|
Running time | 72 min. |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Fate Takes a Hand is a 1961 British anthology drama film directed by Max Varnel and starring Ronald Howard and Christina Gregg. [1]
The recovery of a post bag stolen in a robbery fifteen years earlier has varying consequences for the lives of five of the recipients of the letters when the Post Office decides that the post should be delivered. Several lives are changed, as witnessed by a newspaper reporter and a Post Office security guard who follow up on several of the letters.
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Extravagantly unlikely omnibus film made up of five widely assorted vignettes with twist endings. The script is pat and the production values unremarkable, but the blend of comedy, drama and sentiment is bearable in an ingenuous kind of way." [2]
AllMovie called it "a throwback to the British "portmanteau" films of the 1950s." [3]
TV Guide gave the film two out of four stars, and writes that "the effect of the late letters' delivery to the recipients makes for five delightful little tales. Good performances all the way around." [4]
The Big Fisherman is a 1959 American historical drama film directed by Frank Borzage about the life of Simon Peter, one of the disciples of Jesus. Starring Howard Keel, Susan Kohner and John Saxon, the production is adapted from the 1948 novel, The Big Fisherman (book) by Lloyd C. Douglas. The film was shot at Universal-International studios but released by Buena Vista, the film releasing company of Walt Disney Productions.
Ronald William Howard is an American director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. Howard started his career as a child actor before transitioning to directing films. Over his six decade career, Howard has received two Academy Awards, four Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and a Grammy Award. He was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2003 and was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 2013. Howard has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions in film and television.
Max Varnel was a French-born Australian film and television director who worked primarily in the United Kingdom and Australia.
The Gentle Sex is a 1943 British black-and-white romantic comedy-drama war film, directed by Leslie Howard and Maurice Elvey and narrated by Howard. It was produced by Concanen Productions, Two Cities Films, and Derrick de Marney. It was Howard's last film before his death.
Ring of Spies is a 1964 British spy film directed by Robert Tronson and starring Bernard Lee, William Sylvester and Margaret Tyzack. It is based on the real-life case of the Portland Spy Ring, whose activities prompted "Reds under the bed" scare stories in the British popular press in the early 1960s.
Take a Girl Like You is a 1970 British romantic comedy drama film directed by Jonathan Miller and starring Hayley Mills, Oliver Reed and Noel Harrison. Based on the 1960 novel Take a Girl Like You by Kingsley Amis, it was adapted by George Melly.
Kill Me Tomorrow is a 1957 British crime film directed by Terence Fisher starring Pat O'Brien and Lois Maxwell. It was made by Tempean Films at Southall Studios in West London.
Return of a Stranger is a 1961 British second feature thriller film directed by Max Varnel and starring John Ireland and Susan Stephen.
Enter Inspector Duval is a low budget 1961 British crime film directed by Max Varnel and starring Anton Diffring, Diane Hart and Mark Singleton.
Murder in Eden is a 1961 British mystery film directed by Max Varnel and starring Ray McAnally, Catherine Feller and Yvonne Buckingham. An art critic is murdered and a reporter helps Scotland Yard hunt for the killer.
Top Floor Girl is a 1959 British drama film directed by Max Varnel and starring Kay Callard, Neil Hallett and Robert Raikes. The screenplay was by Brian Clemens and Eldon Howard.
The Spider's Web is a 1960 British mystery film directed by Godfrey Grayson and starring Glynis Johns, John Justin, Cicely Courtneidge and Jack Hulbert. It is an adaptation of the 1954 play Spider's Web by Agatha Christie, and a rare Technicolor 'A' feature from the Danzigers. It was remade as a television special starring Penelope Keith that was broadcast on 26 December 1982.
Part-Time Wife is a low budget black and white 1961 'B' British comedy film directed by Max Varnel and starring Anton Rodgers and Nyree Dawn Porter.
A Taste of Money is a 1960 British comedy film directed by Max Varnel and starring Jean Cadell, Dick Emery and Pete Murray. It was produced by the Danzigers.
Moment of Indiscretion is a low budget 1958 British crime film directed by Max Varnel and starring Ronald Howard and Lana Morris.
Sentenced for Life is a low budget 1960 British second feature crime film directed by Max Varnel and starring Basil Dignam, Jack Gwillim, Francis Matthews, and Jill Williams.
A Woman Possessed is a low budget 1958 British drama film directed by Max Varnel and starring Margaretta Scott, Francis Matthews, and Kay Callard.
The Child and the Killer is a 1959 British low budget second feature crime film directed by Max Varnel and starring Patricia Driscoll and Robert Arden.
Links of Justice is a 1958 British film directed by Max Varnel and starring Jack Watling and Sarah Lawson.
The Break is a 1963 British second feature drama film directed by Lance Comfort and starring Tony Britton, William Lucas and Christina Gregg.
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