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

The action of the film takes place on Friday, May 17, 1957.

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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: 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

Referenced in Ken Adam: Designing Bond (2000)

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.