Tiger Bay (1959)

A 12 year old tomboy witnesses the murder of a woman by her Polish merchant marine boyfriend but bonds with him and thwarts the police in their investigation.

Director:

J. Lee Thompson

Writers:

Noël Calef (short story "Rodolphe et le Revolver"), John Hawkesworth (screenplay),

Stars:

John Mills, Horst Buchholz, Hayley Mills

Won 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Mills	...	Superintendent Graham
Horst Buchholz	...	Korchinsky
Hayley Mills	...	Gillie
Yvonne Mitchell	...	Anya
Megs Jenkins	...	Mrs. Phillips
Anthony Dawson	...	Barclay
George Selway	...	Det. Sgt. Harvey
Shari	...	Christine
George Pastell	...	'POLOMA' Captain
Paul Stassino	...	'POLOMA' 1st. Officer
Marne Maitland	...	Dr. Das
Meredith Edwards	...	P.C. Williams
Marianne Stone	...	Mrs. Williams
Rachel Thomas	...	Mrs. Parry
Brian Hammond	...	Dai Parry

Storyline

12 year old Gillie witnesses a Polish Sailor killing his girlfriend and manages to get hold of the gun. When the police question her about the gun, she concocts stories which only get her deeper into trouble.

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Plot Keywords:

gun | tomboy | murder | merchant marine | liar | 

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Taglines:

MURDER...enacted before the eyes of a little girl. She alone has the proof the police are searching for.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English Polish

Release Date:

14 December 1959 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mystery at Tiger Bay

Filming Locations:

Beaconsfield Studios, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Independent Artists

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Hayley Mills admitted to being utterly besotted with her handsome male co-star Horst Buchholz, even though he was always putting her off her lines by goofing around behind the camera.

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Goofs

When Superintendent Graham is taking Gillie to the ship, the number plate of the following police car changes between scenes.

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Quotes

Korchinsky: [Last lines] Well, you've got your man.
Superintendent Graham: Yes, I have and a very brave man.

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Connections

Referenced in A Personal History of British Cinema by Stephen Frears (1997)

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Soundtracks

"The Lord's My Shepherd"
(uncredited)
Lyrics by Francis Rous
Music by Jessie Seymour Irvine
Performed by Hayley Mills

User Reviews

Unforgettable. Worth any effort needed to see it.

It's been a long time since I first saw this movie, but it's one that I'll likely never forget. Hayley Mills is truly a joy to watch. She portrays the many moods with ease and is deservedly one of the best-loved child stars. Horst Buchholz gives a very believable portrayal of a young man betrayed and bewildered by the action of his girlfriend and of his murdering her. Hayley as Gillie is the strong one in this movie. She is the one who hides him and protects him after getting the gun from him. She seems to relish her role. As others have said already the ending seems to be lacking true zest. I actually can't remember what happened. However, the rest of the movie, showing the wonderful interaction between Gillie and the sailor is more than worth the price of admission or the DVD.