World for Ransom (1954)

Made by the same production set-up on the same lot that was producing the 1953-54 "China Smith/Captain China" TV series that starred Dan Duryea as soldier-of-fortune China Smith, using many... See full summary »

Writer:

Lindsay Hardy

Stars:

Dan Duryea, Gene Lockhart, Patric Knowles

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Dan Duryea	...	Mike Callahan / Corrigan
Gene Lockhart	...	Alexis Pederas
Patric Knowles	...	Julian March
Reginald Denny	...	Maj. Ian Bone
Nigel Bruce	...	Gov. Sir Charles Coutts
Marian Carr	...	Frennessey March
Arthur Shields	...	Sean O'Connor
Douglass Dumbrille	...	Insp. McCollum
Carmen D'Antonio	...	Dancer
Keye Luke	...	Wong
Clarence Lung	...	Johnny Chan
Lou Nova	...	Guzik

Storyline

Made by the same production set-up on the same lot that was producing the 1953-54 "China Smith/Captain China" TV series that starred Dan Duryea as soldier-of-fortune China Smith, using many of the same players that were regulars on the TV series, including Douglass Dumbrille, as head of the British Intelligence, and the same "Singapore", British Colony colonials and China sets used on the series. In this instance, they had the good grace to actually make a "new" film rather than just paste two of the TV episodes together and sending it out as a "new" movie as many of the TV production companies were doing at the time, i.e., the producers of the "Ramar of the Jungle" and Guy Madison's "Wild Bill Hickok" series. And changed the role names of Duryea and Dumbrille, but the Duryea character is still "China Smith." And hired a good director. This time out China Smith...uh.....Mike Callahan (Dan Duryea), because of his friendship with Julian March (Patric Knowles),becomes involved with a ...

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Plot Keywords:

singapore

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Genres:

Drama | Film-Noir

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 January 1954 (USA)

Also Known As:

Alerte à Singapour

Filming Locations:

Motion Picture Center Studios, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Plaza Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Shot in 11 days.

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Goofs

When Callahan is in Frennessey March's dressing room, he states he shipped out of Singapore during the war. The Japanese captured Singapore and occupied the city from February 15, 1942 to August 15, 1945. The three ships sent to defend Singapore were either sunk or ran aground. Callahan could not have embarked on an Allied ship as Singapore was thousands of miles behind enemy lines at the time.

User Reviews

Sets The Stage For Kiss Me Deadly(1955)

World For Ransom(1954) is an odd item from filmography of Robert Aldrich as it is not as well known as some of his other movies. This is an overlooked movie that would provide a sketch for Kiss Me Deadly(1955). Dan Duryea gives a very good performance as well as Patric Knowles and Marian Carr. The plot of the film recalls The Third Man(1949) because its also about a friend of the protagonist who may be villainous and the woman who torn between her husband and her friend. It is well paced and filled with action and intrigue. World For Ransom(1954) is an exciting movie by a man who would later do terrific films like Kiss Me Deadly(1955) and The Dirty Dozen(1967).