Inspector Hornleigh on Holiday (1939)

It comes as no surprise when Inspector Hornleigh and his assistant, Sergeant Bingham, go to enjoy the winds and rains on their annual seaside vacation, when they run into a "busman's ... See full summary »

Director:

Walter Forde

Writers:

Sidney Gilliat, Leonard Reginald Gribble (novel),

Stars:

Gordon Harker, Alastair Sim, Linden Travers

Cast

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

Storyline

It comes as no surprise when Inspector Hornleigh and his assistant, Sergeant Bingham, go to enjoy the winds and rains on their annual seaside vacation, when they run into a "busman's holiday." One of their fellow boarders at Balmoral Guest House, Captain Fraser of the Royal Navy, goes out one dismal night, with his pet terrier, and is found crushed and burned to death, in his wrecked roadster at the foot of a cliff. Hornleigh and Bingham, residing at Brighthaven incognito and the last people to see Fraser,are taken into custody by the local police. It was impossible to identify the charred body and the dog is missing. Hornleigh, suspecting murder, identifies himself and goes to work on the case. Hornleigh proves that the crash was neither suicide nor accident, and that the body is not Fraser, despite an identifying tattoo on the back of the hand.

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Plot Keywords:

sequel | burned alive | crushed to death | based on novel | character name in title

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 December 1939 (USA)

Also Known As:

Inspektör Hornleigh på semester

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century-Fox Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The first feature of Michael Denison

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Connections

Follows Inspector Hornleigh (1939)

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Soundtracks

"Half and Half"
(uncredited)
Written by Al Goodhart Al Hoffman and Maurice Sigler

User Reviews

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.