The Blue Lamp (1950)The daily routine of two London policemen is interrupted by a killer. Director:Basil Dearden |
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The Blue Lamp (1950)The daily routine of two London policemen is interrupted by a killer. Director:Basil Dearden |
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Jack Warner | ... | |
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Jimmy Hanley | ... |
PC Andy Mitchell
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| Dirk Bogarde | ... |
Tom Riley
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Robert Flemyng | ... |
Police Sgt. Roberts
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| Bernard Lee | ... |
Inspector Cherry
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Peggy Evans | ... |
Diana Lewis
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Patric Doonan | ... |
Spud
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Bruce Seton | ... |
PC Campbell
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Meredith Edwards | ... | |
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Clive Morton | ... |
Police Sgt. Brooks
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Frederick Piper | ... |
Alf Lewis
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Dora Bryan | ... |
Maisie
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Gladys Henson | ... |
Mrs Dixon
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Tessie O'Shea | ... |
Herself
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We follow the daily activities of two London bobbies, veteran George Dixon and rookie Andy Mitchell. Meanwhile, young hoods Tom and Spud plan a series of robberies with Tom's girl Diana, a discontented beauty, as inside worker. But in their second crime, one of our heroes is shot, setting off a citywide manhunt. The killer is clever, but will he outsmart himself? Written by Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>
I taped The Blue Lamp when Channel 4 screened it one afternoon and found it very good.
It is about the normal life of Paddington Green Police station in London and the police have more work on when a murderer strikes. Worse still, one of the murderer's victims is PC George Dixon. These murders turn out to be connected with a series of robberies on shops and the search for the killer is stepped up. He is caught at the end in a greyhound stadium.
The Blue Lamp gives you an idea on what life was like at this time (1950) and it is great to see the old buses, trolleybuses, cars and other vehicles in the background. Very atmospheric at times too.
The cast is lead by Jack Warner as PC Dixon and is joined by Dirk Bogarde (Doctor In the House), Jimmy Hanley, Robert Flemyng (The Blood Beast Terror), Bernard Lee (long before he appeared as M in the James Bond movies), Gladys Henson and Dora Bryan (who can now be seen in comedy Last of the Summer Wine). Great parts from all.
Despite him being killed off in this, Jack Warner went on to star as PC Dixon in the long running and successful TV series Dixon of Dock Green.
The Blue Lamp is British drama at its best. Excellent.
Rating: 4 stars out of 5.