IMDb RATING
3.9/10
191
YOUR RATING
Government agent Dick Barton battles a ring of Nazi spies who are planning to poison the entire London water supply.Government agent Dick Barton battles a ring of Nazi spies who are planning to poison the entire London water supply.Government agent Dick Barton battles a ring of Nazi spies who are planning to poison the entire London water supply.
Farnham Baxter
- Roscoe
- (uncredited)
Ernest Borrow
- Joe Gilpin
- (uncredited)
Peter Brace
- Henchman
- (uncredited)
Jim Brady
- Henchman in Fist Fight
- (uncredited)
Arthur Bush
- Kurt Schuler
- (uncredited)
Ivor Danvers
- Snub
- (uncredited)
Colin Douglas
- Stark
- (uncredited)
Billy Howard
- Police Constable Jupp
- (uncredited)
Beatrice Kane
- Mrs. Betsy Horrock
- (uncredited)
Janice Lowthian
- Adele Reed
- (uncredited)
Eddie Powell
- Henchman
- (uncredited)
Alec Ross
- Tony Firth
- (uncredited)
Campbell Singer
- Sir George Cavendish
- (uncredited)
Morris Sweden
- Regan
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDick drives a 1947 Allard L1, reg. JGY 719.
- GoofsIn an attempt to inject tension at key points, some footage is clearly sped up; there's also some obvious heavy use of day-for-night filming.
- Quotes
Jean Hunter: It's no use Betsy, I can't stand it any longer. I'm going out to look for Dick.
- Crazy creditsIn homage to the parent BBC Light Programme radio series, the title is presaged with a dramatic voice-over: "Ladies and gentlemen - Dick Barton, Special Agent!"
- ConnectionsFollowed by Dick Barton Strikes Back (1949)
Featured review
Special Brew
This is one of the worst films to watch as an adult, and as an adult who appreciates Kane, Orphee, Rashomon, Godfather I/II, Donnie Darko etc to name just a handful. You have to try and switch your Cynic Button to Standby for 66 minutes and enjoy it for what it was. I agree it is a laughable and witless film - but it was made for British children and especially the post-WW2 teenagers listening to the weekly BBC radio series - who weren't so demanding as we all have become. Although apparently the BBC were initially surprised that children were listening in their millions, and eventually decided to "tone" the gratuitous sex and mindless violence in DB down. Which of course by todays high standards was on the level of Sesame Street, but losing even that meant the end as the millions turned off. Could you watch old serials such as Nyoka nowadays without laughing - could a serious film buff in the 40's?
A populist subject for the film - a gang of Nazi smugglers operating in quaint English fishing village, plotting the downfall of all around them. Don Stannard was excellent for the ... unbelievably manly role of Dick Barton - although since Red Dwarf I can't quite get Arnold Rimmer out of my head. And current Tory Party Boss David Cameron too for that matter! Snowy and Jock were both there as DB's sidekicks, played with gusto if not finesse. What I find when I let go is that this sometimes atmospheric film is an enjoyable romp (semi-silent, too!) from proto-Hammer, which strains credulity at every turn but keeps you watching like all Fantasies should do. The whole production was cheap and amateurish which is reflected in the acting. Marvellously refreshing after seeing Requiem For A Dream!
Therefore I don't think Plan 9's Title is in jeopardy, except maybe from Blazing Saddles - time will tell!
A populist subject for the film - a gang of Nazi smugglers operating in quaint English fishing village, plotting the downfall of all around them. Don Stannard was excellent for the ... unbelievably manly role of Dick Barton - although since Red Dwarf I can't quite get Arnold Rimmer out of my head. And current Tory Party Boss David Cameron too for that matter! Snowy and Jock were both there as DB's sidekicks, played with gusto if not finesse. What I find when I let go is that this sometimes atmospheric film is an enjoyable romp (semi-silent, too!) from proto-Hammer, which strains credulity at every turn but keeps you watching like all Fantasies should do. The whole production was cheap and amateurish which is reflected in the acting. Marvellously refreshing after seeing Requiem For A Dream!
Therefore I don't think Plan 9's Title is in jeopardy, except maybe from Blazing Saddles - time will tell!
helpful•1512
- Spondonman
- Mar 27, 2004
- How long is Dick Barton, Detective?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Dick Barton: Special Agent
- Filming locations
- Birdham Pool, Chichester, West Sussex, England, UK(yachting scenes)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- £20,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 10 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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By what name was Dick Barton, Detective (1948) officially released in Canada in English?
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