Gideon of Scotland Yard (1958)

A typical day for Scotland Yard Chief Inspector George Gideon consists of 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	...	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'
Barry Keegan	...	Riley
Frank Lawton	...	Det. Sgt. Liggot
Michael Trubshawe	...	Sergeant Golightly
Derek Bond	...	Det. Sgt. Eric Kirby
Grizelda Hervey	...	Mrs. Kirby
Henry B. Longhurst	...	Rev Mr. Courtney (as Henry Longhurst)
Doreen Madden	...	Miss Courtney
Jack Watling	...	Reverend Julian Small
Cyril Cusack	...	Herbert '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

Did You Know?

Trivia

The church where The Rev. Courtney, Small and Birdie work is St. Ethelburgh's-in-the-Marshes.

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Goofs

Mrs. Sparrow orders a "Half and Half" to chase her large gin. This is also known in some parts as a "Black and Tan", where a dark beer is layered on top of a pale beer - such as Guiness stout on top of Bass pale ale. However, the beer Mrs. Sparrow is given is all one color.

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Quotes

Insp. George Gideon: The day Thou gavest, Lord, is started...

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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

This is an overall excellent Irish production.

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.

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 June 1958 (USA)

Also Known As:

Gideon of Scotland Yard

Filming Locations:

MGM British Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

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