A gang of street boys foil a master crook who sends commands for robberies by cunningly altering a comic strip's wording each week, unknown to writer and printer. The first of the Ealing ...
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Title: Hue and Cry (1947)
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Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Harry Fowler | ... | Joe Kirby | |
 |
Frederick Piper | ... | Mr. Kirby |
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Vida Hope | ... | Mrs. Kirby |
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Heather Delaine | ... | Dorrie Kirby |
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Douglas Barr | ... | Alec |
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Stanley Escane | ... | Roy |
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Ian Dawson | ... | Norman |
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Gerald Fox | ... | Dicky |
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David Simpson | ... | Arthur |
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Albert Hughes | ... | Wally |
| John Hudson | ... | Stan | |
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David Knox | ... | Dusty |
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Jeffrey Sirett | ... | Bill |
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James Crabbe | ... | Terry (as James Crabb) |
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Joan Dowling | ... | Clarry |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
Storyline
A gang of street boys foil a master crook who sends commands for robberies by cunningly altering a comic strip's wording each week, unknown to writer and printer. The first of the Ealing comedies. Written by Michael Crew <m.crew@bbcnc.org.uk>
Certificate:
See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
Edit
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
UKLanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
February 1947 (UK) See more »Also Known As:
Houdt den dief! See more »Filming Locations:
Former bomb-site between Queen Street Place and Cousin Lane, London, England, UK See more »Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound System)Color:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1
Edit
Felix H. Wilkinson: Oh, how I loathe adventurous-minded boys.
See more »
The producer's name, Michael Balcon, appears in the next frame. See more »
(uncredited)
Music by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy
Arranged by Ernest Irving
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Harry Fowler later married fellow actress Joan Dowling, but sadly she committed suicide in 1954, aged just 26. See more »Goofs
When the kids are in the tunnels and using their torches, the circle of light from the torches don't match where they are actually pointing them. See more »Quotes
[Joe has pleaded with Wilkinson to write a story to entrap the crooks; Wilkinson will have to stay up all night to write it]Felix H. Wilkinson: Oh, how I loathe adventurous-minded boys.
See more »
Crazy Credits
In the opening credits, there appears on the wall a drawing of 'Chad', beside which is written WOT NO PRODUCER ?The producer's name, Michael Balcon, appears in the next frame. See more »
Connections
Featured in Tuesday's Documentary: The Ealing Comedies or Kind Hearts and Overdrafts (1970) See more »Soundtracks
Oh For the Wings of A Dove(uncredited)
Music by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy
Arranged by Ernest Irving
See more »
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The Trump!
Forgotten, under seen or not very good? Either way Hue & Cry is a very important film in the pantheon of Ealing Studios. Blending comedy with that of a children's thriller, this would be the launching pad for the long string of Ealing classics that would follow. Nobody at the time would know of its importance, nor did head guru Micahel Balcon have ideas to steer the studio in the direction that it would take, thus practically inventing its own genre of film.
In truth, it's a scratchy film, admittedly one with moments of class and social hilarity, nifty set-ups and ever likable young actors, but it's a bit too wrought to fully work, the odd blend of comic book values and crime busting youths is never at one for a fully rounded spectacle. But the hints of greatness are there, an awareness of the times, the half bombed London backdrop, the send-ups of Hollywood conventions, and the irrepressible Alastair Sim a forerunner of many eccentrics to follow.
Hue & Cry is a fine and decent viewing experience, and perhaps it's harsh to judge it against "those" bona fide classics coming up along the rails? But really it's more for historical values to seek it out and it's not an Ealing film you would recommend to a newcomer wanting to acquaint themselves with that most brilliant of British studios. 6.5/10