Gideon of Scotland Yard (1958)

A typical day for Scotland Yard Inspector George Gideon consists in working on several cases at the same time.

Director:

John Ford

Writers:

T.E.B. Clarke (screenplay), John Creasey (novel) (as J.J. Marric)

Stars:

Jack Hawkins, Anna Lee, Anna Massey

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jack Hawkins	...	Gideon
Anna Lee	...	Mrs.Kate Gideon
Anna Massey	...	Sally Gideon
Andrew Ray	...	P.C. Farnaby Green
Howard Marion-Crawford	...	The Chief
John Loder	...	Ponsford 'The Duke'
Barry Keegan	...	Riley
Frank Lawton	...	Det Sgt Liggot
Michael Trubshawe	...	Sergeant Golightly
Derek Bond	...	Det Sgt. Kirby
Grizelda Hervey	...	Mrs. Kirby
Henry B. Longhurst	...	Rev Mr. Courtney (as Henry Longhurst)
Doreen Madden	...	Miss Courtney
Jack Watling	...	Rev Julian Small
Cyril Cusack	...	Birdie Sparrow

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

ticket | robbery | scotland yard | policeman | police officer | 

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Taglines:

24 Tension-Taut Hours in the Life of a Top Crime Fighter!

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

February 1959 (USA)

Also Known As:

Gideon of Scotland Yard

Filming Locations:

MGM British Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Columbia British Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White (USA, theatrical prints) Color (Technicolor) (as Technicolor®) (UK prints)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ronald Howard and Howard Marion-Crawford played Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, respectively, in the mid-50's TV series The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

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Goofs

The background scene of London outside Gideon's office windows is actually a miniature set rather than back projected film. This is revealed by the fact that the cars and buses crossing the bridge are clearly small models or toys. In fact in the opening shot of Gideon looking out of his office at night, the miniature is used on its own instead of inserting stock footage, and the model vehicles are particularly noticeable.

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Quotes

Insp. George Gideon: I could tell you a few things about executions - they're not very dramatic - you know, they're rather an anti-climax after the trial. Three weeks in jail and then one morning the long walk. And it won't be a bit like you imagine - the heroine with her head held high. They'll drag you there half doped and vomiting with terror... that's the worst thing about hanging - it's so undignified...

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Crazy Credits

When title music plays "London Bridge is Falling Down" there is a full-screen picture of Tower Bridge.

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Connections

References The Pride and the Passion (1957)

User Reviews

grammar of the 50's

The film has some great sayings, such as which you're unlikely to hear in any cops and robbers film again!

Gideon has a gun pointed at him by the artist-turned-payroll robber. He calmly smokes his pipe and speculates the outcome for the artist, if he were to shoot, at which the artist/robber says "I don't see why you're using the subjunctive!".