Inspector Hornleigh on Holiday (1939)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Walter Forde

Writers:

Sidney Gilliat (writer)
Leo Grex (novel)

Release Date:

1 December 1939 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Plot:

It comes as no surprise when Inspector Hornleigh (Gordon Harker) and his assistant, Sergeant Bingham (Alastair Sim)...

Plot Keywords:

Sequel | Burned Alive | Crushed To Death | Based On Novel | Character Name In Title

Cast

Gordon Harker	...	Inspector Hornleigh
Alastair Sim	...	Sergeant Bingham
Linden Travers	...	Miss Meadows
Wally Patch	...	Police Sergeant
Edward Chapman	...	Captain Fraser
Philip Leaver	...	Bradfield
Kynaston Reeves	...	Dr. Manners
John Turnbull	...	Chief Constable
Wyndham Goldie	...	Sir George Winbeck
Cyril Conway

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Sweden:15

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Productions

Trivia:

The first feature of Michael Denison

Movie Connections:

Follows Inspector Hornleigh (1939)

Brief review of this little seen film part of Inspector Hornleigh Trilogy

Filmed at the peak of Gordon Harker's popularity(Inspector Hornleigh)this was probably the strongest of the three Hornleigh films. Hornleigh and assistant Sergeant Bingham (Alastair Sim)are on holiday staying in a guest house in a wind swept coastal town. Initially trying to overcome the boredom they attempt to play Billiards and mix with the other guests which provides plenty of opportunity for Sim to get laughs with his unusually simpleton like character.Fraud and murder are soon on the agenda and despite his initial reluctance to get involved Hornleigh is soon on the case. A fascinating glimpse of what could have been had Harker & Sim remained a team,as they had all the attributes of a great double act.In the guises of Hornleigh and Bingham they are unique as a deadly serious and intelligent superior and a complete buffoon assistant although if one looks beneath the surface comparisons can be drawn with Laurel & Hardy or even Abbot & Costello albeit without the slapstick knock about farce of these better known pairings. I would recommend this film highly and feel it is a tragedy that it is not currently available in any format.Prints do exist and are very occasionally broadcast on regional British T V.If you do get the chance to view this film you will be treated to an excellent light hearted suspense movie with some fine atmospherics of the time,also a couple of very dated performances from the supporting cast most noticeably Wally Patch as a simple British bobby,however I feel that this only adds to the films aged charm and hope that all three Hornleigh films will be available before too long.