Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Jack Hawkins | ... | Chief Inspector George Gideon | |
Anna Lee | ... | Mrs.Kate Gideon | |
Anna Massey | ... | Sally Gideon | |
Andrew Ray | ... | P.C.Simon Farnaby-Green | |
Howard Marion-Crawford | ... | The Chief | |
John Loder | ... | Ponsford 'The Duke' | |
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Barry Keegan | ... | Riley |
Frank Lawton | ... | Det. Sgt. Liggot | |
Michael Trubshawe | ... | Sergeant Golightly | |
Derek Bond | ... | Det. Sgt. Eric Kirby | |
Grizelda Hervey | ... | Mrs. Kirby | |
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Henry B. Longhurst | ... | Rev Mr. Courtney (as Henry Longhurst) |
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Doreen Madden | ... | Miss Courtney |
Jack Watling | ... | Reverend Julian Small | |
Cyril Cusack | ... | Herbert 'Birdie' Sparrow |
Scotland Yard Inspector George Gideon starts his day off on the wrong foot when he gets a traffic-violation ticket from a young police officer. From there, his 'typical day" consists in learning that one of his most-trusted detectives has accepted bribes; hunts an escaped maniac who has murdered a girl; tracks a young girl suspected of a payroll robbery and, then, helps break up a bank robbery. His long day ends when he arrives at home and finds that his daughter has a date with the policeman who gave him a ticket that morning. Written by Les Adams <longhorn1939@suddenlink.net>
This film is unique historically for more than one reason. It is the first - I believe only - cops and robbers film directed by John Ford. It is also unique because it is an Irish production. The 'Rising of the Moon' was an Irish production directed by John Ford. He made it clear that he would like to do another. The Irish Lord who had produced the 'Rising' read a book called Gideon's Day by an unknown writer called J.J.Merric. He loved the book, rang John Ford, and sent him a copy. When he negotiated buying the book it was discovered that J.J.Merric was in fact the famous John Creasey. Ford was captivated by the book, the deal was struck, and the wheels set in motion. In the film itself there is no indication that it is Irish other than Cyril Cusack being in it. It is the only Irish film made so far that does not have an Irish factor in its content. The world premier was in the Savoy Cinema in Dublin.