Another of the entertaining Merton Park releases, loosely based on Edgar Wallace stories, that were shown before the main feature in the 60s. Many of the actors in these films went on to bigger things, some were destined to make a good living playing supporting roles and some didn't progress at all. In this film, the one and only Michael Caine plays Paddy, one of a group of crooks who steal the keys to a jewellery shop from the elderly shop assistant after she's locked up for the night, accidentally killing her. Although IMDb has Caine near the top of the cast list, his role is fairly minor, played with a brave attempt at an Irish accent. As usual for these films, the plot is quite intriguing and Glyn Houston as Inspector Sparrow puts in a credible performance as he tries to track down the thieves despite his superior's wishes that he should call in Scotland Yard to help. Nothing is quite what it seems and this turns out to be more than a straightforward robbery.
5 Reviews
One for rabid Edgar Wallace fans.
JohnHowardReid23 April 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Producer: Jack Greenwood. Not copyrighted by Merton Park Studios. Released in the U.S.A. through Schoenfeld Film Distributing Corporation: 11 May 1966. No recorded New York opening. U.K. release through Anglo Amalgamated: 21 October 1962. Australian release through British Empire Films: 9 January 1964. 5,046 feet. 56 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: When he cannot find a kidnapped saleswoman in a case linked to jewel thieves, Inspector Sparrow is yanked from the investigation. So he decides to conduct his enquiries on his own.
NOTES: Number 20 of the 50-picture Merton Park "Edgar Wallace" series... First film of former TV director, Gordon Flemyng... Ninth film of soon-to-be-superstar, Michael Caine, who was to score so mightily with Zulu (his eleventh film), The Ipcress File (his twelfth), and Alfie (his thirteenth).
COMMENT: Another Edgar Wallace. My excuse for reviewing this one in is that star-spotters will enjoy discovering a little-known Michael Caine. Also, of course, it's one of the better Merton Park entries. Not only is it efficiently directed, but it possesses an efficient cast. True, Michael Caine displays little latent star power, but Reynolds and Houston turn in appealing performances and there are some mighty attractive girls on hand as well.
Director Flemyng makes imaginative and dramatically compelling use of his natural locations. Other technical credits also rise to the occasion. The characters are interesting, their conflicts ring in as really suspenseful, the dialogue skims along breezily with a racily realistic edge, whilst the plot builds tautly steadily to a real action climax.
Only the fact that the story is really a straight thriller (not much in the way of mystery is involved) will maybe register a slight disappointment in the minds of rabid Edgar Wallace fans.
OTHER VIEWS: Even the Monthly Film Bulletin more or less liked this one: "Fairly routine, but with sudden flashes of imagination... Some of the minor crooks are quite skillfully drawn, and the climactic rescue couldn't have been better timed by John Wayne and the U.S. cavalry."
SYNOPSIS: When he cannot find a kidnapped saleswoman in a case linked to jewel thieves, Inspector Sparrow is yanked from the investigation. So he decides to conduct his enquiries on his own.
NOTES: Number 20 of the 50-picture Merton Park "Edgar Wallace" series... First film of former TV director, Gordon Flemyng... Ninth film of soon-to-be-superstar, Michael Caine, who was to score so mightily with Zulu (his eleventh film), The Ipcress File (his twelfth), and Alfie (his thirteenth).
COMMENT: Another Edgar Wallace. My excuse for reviewing this one in is that star-spotters will enjoy discovering a little-known Michael Caine. Also, of course, it's one of the better Merton Park entries. Not only is it efficiently directed, but it possesses an efficient cast. True, Michael Caine displays little latent star power, but Reynolds and Houston turn in appealing performances and there are some mighty attractive girls on hand as well.
Director Flemyng makes imaginative and dramatically compelling use of his natural locations. Other technical credits also rise to the occasion. The characters are interesting, their conflicts ring in as really suspenseful, the dialogue skims along breezily with a racily realistic edge, whilst the plot builds tautly steadily to a real action climax.
Only the fact that the story is really a straight thriller (not much in the way of mystery is involved) will maybe register a slight disappointment in the minds of rabid Edgar Wallace fans.
OTHER VIEWS: Even the Monthly Film Bulletin more or less liked this one: "Fairly routine, but with sudden flashes of imagination... Some of the minor crooks are quite skillfully drawn, and the climactic rescue couldn't have been better timed by John Wayne and the U.S. cavalry."
Caine ain't pure sugar in this one.
mark.waltz22 July 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The death of a jewelry store clerk reveals the presence of a gang of very well dressed thugs, wanted in connection with the kidnapping and subsequent death of the aging female clerk, originally the suspect in the theft when she doesn't show up for work. Inspector Sparrow (Glyn Houston) is on the case, and in spite of the fact that he's removed from it continues to investigate, leading him to the gang (including leader Anthony Newlands and Michael Caine, then a struggling actor with numerous credits dating back to the mid 50's), and ultimately a shootout.
You can't miss Caine, standing above the rest, and definitely with a major presence. The rest of the cast may not have the name recognition but are quite good in their amusing roles that expresses some wonderful eccentricities. Speeding by at an hour, this entry in the Edgar Wallace mystery series is notable, not just for Caine, but for a better than average script, fast pacing and a group of characters that are more than worth listening to in conversation as they help Houston solve the case. Location footage well presented too.
You can't miss Caine, standing above the rest, and definitely with a major presence. The rest of the cast may not have the name recognition but are quite good in their amusing roles that expresses some wonderful eccentricities. Speeding by at an hour, this entry in the Edgar Wallace mystery series is notable, not just for Caine, but for a better than average script, fast pacing and a group of characters that are more than worth listening to in conversation as they help Houston solve the case. Location footage well presented too.
Cheap but effective crime thriller
enochsneed14 February 2014
Warning: Spoilers
The series of Edgar Wallace mysteries produced at Merton Park Studios by Jack Greenwood in the early 1960's were never intended to be more than cheap second features but time has made them quite a little treasure trove of British acting and film-making talent. Quite a few actors and directors cut their teeth working on these hour-long programmers. Here we have Michael Caine as 'Mooney', just on the verge of being cast as Bromhead in 'Zulu' and achieving stardom. He is OK here, but just another bit player.
(Spoiler here.) The story is intriguing. We have a police detective who 'goes on leave', determined to crack a case his superiors think is out of his league. For a British copper of that time he really goes rogue: entrapment, illegal wire-taps, he even kills two men (one being our future superstar). Glyn Houston handles the role very well for one who was usually a stolid supporting actor. There's even a touch of James Bond resourcefulness towards the end. (Spoiler ends.)
As usual in these films everybody smokes their heads off and drinks Scotch by the bucketful, it's part of their nostalgic appeal. There is also the opportunity to see London before the development boom of the 60's took hold, and some classic British cars from the days when we had our own motor industry, including a Hillman Super Minx and Vanden Plas Princess. These little films are still entertaining to watch and a real time capsule. Recommended.
(Spoiler here.) The story is intriguing. We have a police detective who 'goes on leave', determined to crack a case his superiors think is out of his league. For a British copper of that time he really goes rogue: entrapment, illegal wire-taps, he even kills two men (one being our future superstar). Glyn Houston handles the role very well for one who was usually a stolid supporting actor. There's even a touch of James Bond resourcefulness towards the end. (Spoiler ends.)
As usual in these films everybody smokes their heads off and drinks Scotch by the bucketful, it's part of their nostalgic appeal. There is also the opportunity to see London before the development boom of the 60's took hold, and some classic British cars from the days when we had our own motor industry, including a Hillman Super Minx and Vanden Plas Princess. These little films are still entertaining to watch and a real time capsule. Recommended.
Above Average Edgar Wallace Programmer
richardchatten24 February 2020
Top-billing goes to Anthony Newlands in a relatively brief role, but it's Glynn Houston who carries the film in the title role as the cop who goes it alone against a gang of violent desperados whose ranks include Michael Caine.
Although now recalled solely because Caine is in it (eleventh in the cast list but already eye-catching because of his height, but deprived of most of his lines during shooting due to his dire attempt at an Irish accent), it's actually chock-a-block with familiar faces right down to a brief appearance by Wanda Ventham as a waitress.
Even without the distinction of having Caine in it this is definitely one of the better Merton Park Edgar Wallace's thanks to Roger Marshall's sharp script and nifty direction by Gordon Flemyng (whose staging of the scene in which Houston interviews Neil McCarthy over a snooker table is worthy of Bergman). Almost everybody is of course dressed effortlessly immaculately as befits the era of JFK and Malcolm X; while Nadja Regin in one outdoor scene models a chic leather suit that probably cost more than the rest of the film's budget combined.
Although now recalled solely because Caine is in it (eleventh in the cast list but already eye-catching because of his height, but deprived of most of his lines during shooting due to his dire attempt at an Irish accent), it's actually chock-a-block with familiar faces right down to a brief appearance by Wanda Ventham as a waitress.
Even without the distinction of having Caine in it this is definitely one of the better Merton Park Edgar Wallace's thanks to Roger Marshall's sharp script and nifty direction by Gordon Flemyng (whose staging of the scene in which Houston interviews Neil McCarthy over a snooker table is worthy of Bergman). Almost everybody is of course dressed effortlessly immaculately as befits the era of JFK and Malcolm X; while Nadja Regin in one outdoor scene models a chic leather suit that probably cost more than the rest of the film's budget combined.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
