Hue and Cry (1947)

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 ... See full summary »

Director:

Charles Crichton

Writer:

T.E.B. Clarke (original screenplay)

Stars:

Alastair Sim, Frederick Piper, Harry Fowler

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Harry Fowler	...	Joe Kirby
Frederick Piper	...	Mr. Kirby
Vida Hope	...	Mrs. Kirby
Heather Delaine	...	Dorrie Kirby
Douglas Barr	...	Alec
Stanley Escane	...	Roy
Ian Dawson	...	Norman
Gerald Fox	...	Dicky
David Simpson	...	Arthur
Albert Hughes	...	Wally
John Hudson	...	Stan
David Knox	...	Dusty
Jeffrey Sirett	...	Bill
James Crabbe	...	Terry (as James Crabb)
Joan Dowling	...	Clarry

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.

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Plot Keywords:

london locations | year 1946 | 1940s | london england | england | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Crime

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The bus which Joe Kirby jumps onto after buying a copy of The Trump is registration JJ4377. The same bus is seen twice later in the film, passing outside the publishers of The Trump and was obviously hired from London Transport for the exterior shots.

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Goofs

When the Rhona Davis character is being tied up, a part of the rope goes around her neck. Next shot the rope is lower. Also the amount of rope around her changes after the children discover the letter to her other name, Rhona Watson.

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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.

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Crazy Credits

In the opening titles, written in chalk as graffiti on a wall, the name of the director Charles Crichton has been modified to King Charles Crichton.

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Connections

Featured in Forever Ealing (2002)

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Soundtracks

Oh For the Wings of A Dove
(uncredited)
Music by Felix Mendelssohn
Arranged by Ernest Irving

User Reviews

The only Ealing Comedy with Alastair Sim?

Though I don't think this film is particularly well regarded, or even known; this is a splendid little tale of youth as the adult world would prefer it and a rather kindly mentor in the lugubrious shape of Alastair Sim. The plot hinges on the now unknown pursuits of comic strips and collecting vehicle registration (licence) plate numbers.

The humour is more subtle and understated than in the later films, indeed one can feel the transition with the years through films such as The Magnet and The Maggie before we reach the true classics of the genre.

Finally, though many will link the name of the great Alastair Sim with Ealing Comedies, am I right in thinking that this, the first of the Ealing Comedies is the only one to feature him?

Alastair is better known working with other studios I believe.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 October 1947 (Belgium)

Also Known As:

Houdt den dief!

Filming Locations:

Former bomb-site between Queen Street Place and Cousin Lane, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ealing Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1