The Dark Man (1951) Killer Thriller With A Big Chase Filler…

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I wanted a short movie, preferably with a dash of crime, thriller and drama all rolled into one. Oh go on then, chuck in a young sexy lady for a bonus! I’m equal, even throw in a hunky fella to balance it out. Devilish good looks with a cad like pencil thin mustache. Tall, dark and handsome but sorry ladies there’s no gentleman with this guy. He so happens to be a relentless killer! Dubbed The Dark Man! His demeanor is threatening, with a foreboding sinister evil that he’d use to quietly menace and kill with. Truth be told he was also a tad stupid. You see, he had just killed. Blasted a man to death. This guy has no virtues, he shot him straight in the back. You see the man had seen him, not kill, yet the Dark Man had, no he had seen his face. The poor man, who would soon become deceased didn’t realise his fate at first. Then when it dawned it became kind of obvious. It didn’t matter, like I said, his life was over, he wasn’t telling no one. Now if the Dark Man was sensible he’d remove himself from this small town with haste…

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The bullet smashed it’s way into cloth, ripped through flesh, blood and then muscle as it hit the young man’s back. The pistol let out a clack-pow sound that echoed across the open the road. A hundred feet a way, on her bike, Molly Lester (Natasha Parry) stopped, more intrigued to what the sound was. It had left an eerie silence. She looked, saw a crashed vehicle by a clearing near the woods. Then he appeared! The Dark Man. It was too far to really make him out. Anyhow she was late, the curtains would be going up soon and she would miss her stage time. Molly was an aspiring actress, it was all she wanted to do. She dismissed the man of shadows. She rode on. The dark man stood in silence as he looked on…

The newspaper described the murder scene. Molly’s friend Barbara (Carol Burns) read with morbid excitement. She was clearly more interested. Molly hadn’t seen a thing, she didn’t get all the fuss. The police on the other hand were concerned that this man had no problems killing, he may come for the girl. The Superintendent (William Hartnell) assigns Detective Inspector Jack Viner (Edward Underdown) to investigate and shadow Molly. Arriving at the theatre her friend comments how young and handsome Jack is. “You look too young to be a policeman!“. Barbara needed her eyes tested! Jack looked sixty plus. Molly and Jack fall in love instantly. It took one walk, for a few minutes, before they are in full embrace. The cops were fast movers back then!… Note – looking up Edward Underdown’s age at time of filming I was shocked he was in fact 43! If he wasn’t telling porkie pies about his birth year! People really did look so much older back then…

Molly Lester – “Is he alright?“
Superintendent – “Depends what you mean by alright. In two minutes I’ll be able to tell you whether you’re marrying a lunatic or a corpse.“

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In the dimly lit shadows, the outline of a man stared unblinking from his hotel room over looking the theatre. He waited for Molly to appear. Drawing on a cigarette in the blackness the smoke filled the window. The Dark Man (Maxwell Reed) watched his pray. Ready to cover up, silence, all the loose ends before returning to the stash of money he had originally killed for. He watched, stalked and planned, binding his time to sweep in and finish her. Turn her lights out…

Tagline – Set in one of Britain’s Forbidden Areas…..this is one of the most fascinating films ever screened!

I found this film looking through William Hartnell’s filmography. Mister Hartnell’s superintendent character doesn’t really get going in the film until near the end. He gives a little deep speech before joining the end man hunt. A man hunt that really takes to an unexpected turn. It all about the strange landscape set piece that jumps a dramatic contrast to rest of the film. A vast stretch of land with dunes and dotted about islands of vegetation. Broken down outhouses and a large old ancient round looking castle appear. What was this place? It was filmed at Camber Castle on the Sussex coast. What makes the end chase so unique is that it’s an army firing range with a few hundred military personnel firing missiles across the pathways of our hero and villain.

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Now I’m sorry to bring the tone down or offend anyone but I must place my pervy hat upon my head! Natasha Parry is stunning here and they really do go to many lengths to show her off. Pulling up stockings, undoing her top to reveal her bra. 50’s sunbathing outfit for a impromptu read on the beach. Ok, nothing really is shown but you can imagine it being all rather titillating back then. There’s one moment when Miss Parry walks to the bus stop. Legs appearing from her floating dress and you feel yourself blowing mouthfuls of air at the tv to help the gust of wind flow her skirt up. It was close I tell you, hang on did I just write that? Damn it I must remember never to put that hat on! Not the first time I got myself in hot water wearing that same hat I’ll tell you! Yeah I remember the time I turned up at a Women’s Institute Christmas event wearing my trusty hat… Yep I’d leave that story for another time, all I’ll say is wooden spoons and spatulas and I couldn’t sit down for a whole week!

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The Dark Man is written and directed by Jeffrey Dell. It says he’d been in the Royal Flying Corps. I wonder if he still had connections with the British Army? That end scene really is something else with all the military presence. Which brings us to this great little speech from a sergeant to his eager men ready to join the hunt….

“Look there might be another chap out there on the ranges, he’s a police inspector but he’s in civvies? So we don’t want any mistakes. Don’t go blazing away at the first chap you see, challenge him and then if he shows fight, let him have it in the legs!”

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Maxwell Reed made for a handsome baddie. A few sinister scenes with the light bulbs and the hiding in the shadows were well put together. His opening introduction scene is superb as he towers on the screen as the others cower. A few sections are so-so especially with the love interest with the inspector being rather ridiculous. Besides, it didn’t matter, as of course there was the divine Natasha Parry to look at. Then the finale comes, the near on 20 minute end chase gave this film a good unique feel. Kudos to Jeffrey Dell and and his camera and lighting crew for going to town. We get treated to some cool sweeping noir lighting shots across vast open landscapes with vehicles and men running around in the moonlight. I’m sure Jeffrey had army connection’s as he managed to get his hands on a world war two search light that streaked a laser like light across the blackness of night. Ok I quite possibly might be guilty of bigging this up a little but I enjoyed it. Let me know if you know it, see it or just wanna say hello.

And remember to keep howling at the TV with the window open. Keep the neighbours on their toes.

Thanks for popping on by… Mikey

7.5/10 6.3/10

Brighton Rock (1948) Psychotic Pocket Rocket Slashes And Intimidates

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This review is for the brutal British gangster movie, Brighton Rock (1948)

What’s going down?

Devious and psychotic small-time gangster, Pinkie Brown, sets out to end the life of a journalist who’d unwittingly strolled into town. The reporter had published a story exposing the brutal gang wars of Brighton on the south coastal town of England. The newspaper article had, in some way, resulted in the death of Pinkie’s gang boss, Kite. Now this teenage hoodlum was now pushed to the forefront of this small gang of racketeers, and he wanted to make his mark. He’d push fear and intimidation. If that didn’t work? Not a problem for him, he’d slice and dice with razor blades. Without hesitation to kill, yeah Pinkie was ready to make his way to the top. Who would find themselves caught up in this twisted hoodlum’s murderous ways? A naive young girl called Rose and the brash and brassy middle-aged cabaret singer, Ida Arnold…

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The main players

Carol Marsh plays Rose Brown
Hermione Baddeley plays Ida Arnold
William Hartnell plays Dallow
Harcourt Williams plays Prewitt
Wylie Watson plays Spicer
Nigel Stock plays Cubitt

Tagline – Raw! Brutal! Razor Gangs in Action!

Sure I’ve seen them in something?

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A young Lord Richard Attenborough reprises his role here, as Pinkie Brown, that had him receiving rave reviews whilst the stage play was on West End. I’ve always liked Richard’s work. He seemed equally apt at playing twisted characters, like his portrayal of John Christie in 10 Rillington Place (1971) or Billy Savage in Seance on a Wet Afternoon (1964). He could easily jump into the role of a working class every man caught in union strikes, in The Angry Silence (1960) or stiff upper lip officer in the World War Two classic The Great Escape (1963). Even showing his comedic side when playing a posh old Commander having a blast of fun with the gung-ho American cop, John Wayne in the likes of Brannigan (1975). However, to most, he will be remembered as the dithering old geezer opening up a wonderland of death and destruction of the prehistoric kind, in Jurassic Park (1993). With all his various performances, I don’t think I’ve seen him with so much raw hate in his heart?

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Truth be told I didn’t know Hermione Baddeley as I began watching Brighton Rock. She plays the brash and feisty cabaret entertainer, Ida Arnold. A lady not afraid to speak her mind. At first I thought she was there for comic relief, well she is really, but as the films plays out she becomes an amateur detective and a thorn in the side of our villain Pinkie. I grew to like her character the more she appeared. Reading her film bio after, it dawned on me, of course I’d seen her before! She’d been Mrs. Cratchit to Alistair Sim’s version of Scrooge in A Christmas Carol (1951) and again with him in The Belles of St. Trinian’s (1954). Also she played the maid in Mary Poppins (1964). She was also in the Hitchcock-esque thriller Midnight Lace (1960). So here’s to you readers, could you recommended other Hermione performances? I’ve taken note of Passport to Pimlico (1949) and Room at the Top (1959) which I see she starred alongside Laurence Harvey. An actor she married and had this priceless quote to say about him when they divorced. “I think I shall risk the halibut. It can’t be too awful, can it? After you’ve lived with Laurence Harvey, nothing in life is ever really too awful again.” Hehe it did make me laugh.

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There’s plenty of actors I could highlight here, however I can’t do them all, so for the last one I’ll pick William Hartnell. He plays Dallow, like a second-in-command to Pinkie. He’s actually quite a complex character. He has a vicious streak and ready to go when asked but he’s more restraint and composed. His experience makes him wiser though he’ll still jump to Pinkie’s word. I enjoyed watching him act. William Hartnell will always be cemented in every kid of a generation as the first Dr Who. Whereas my first memories are with my Doctor Who, the wonderful Tom Baker, any big fan of the classic time traveling sci-fi series knew the different incarnations and that Grandad Who was the OG, the original gangster. Some great films of his to check are Hell Driver (1957), Odd Man Out (1947) and Carry On Sergeant (1958) three movies I really need to see again, soon. Feel free to recommend others. One TV movie I can fully recommend is in fact a bio on William Hartnell himself and how he became Doctor Who. It’s a truly fantastic experience with the brilliant David Bradley playing the part to pure perfection. A dead ringer you could say. If you can find it to watch please give An Adventure in Space and Time (2013) a go, I’m sure you would love it.

Notes on production?

Brighton Rock was first a novel written by Graham Greene in 1938 and subsequently turned into a West End play with lots of the original cast reprising their roles for the film. Graham Greene is known for many classic movie adaptations from his novels, screenplays and short stories, like This Gun For Hire (1942), Ministry Of Fear (1944), The Fallen Idol (1948), The Quiet American (1958) and Carol Reed’s masterpiece, The Third Man (1949).

The screenplay was worked on by Terence Rattigan who had wrote the superb drama starring Michael Redgrave and a film I had nothing but full on praise for called The Browning Version (1951). It was directed by Anthony Asquith. One other film of Rattigan’s I have reviewed is The Way to the Stars (1945).

Brighton Rock is credited to John Boulting in the directing chair however John and his twin brother Roy Boulting would often flip between director and producer. No doubt each having equal input in the film process I would imagine. Sometimes they would be billed as a pair but overall Roy would go on to have his name listed as the director on most of the brothers body of work.

Brighton Rock was remade in 2010 and re-imagined in the 1960’s. I haven’t seen it but spied it doesn’t get rave reviews. I’d like to see it one day just to see how they tackle certain scenes. Sam Riley plays Pinkie with Andrea Riseborough as his Rose. Helen Mirren steps up in the Ida role. There’s a big curve ball turn for Hartnell’s Dallow character who’s played by the giant Nonso Anozie, who by the way was excellent in the recent Sweet Tooth live action adaptation.

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Hits like a sledge hammer

There’s many intense, dark and suspenseful moments, of course, all featuring the sly sinister smirk of one Pinkie. There’s a moment at the top of stairwell that with have you gasping. An innocent looking race coarse instantly turns to shock and awe with razors and a close up camera shot full of thugs moving all so much nearer. However the sledgehammer for this film has to go to Rose asking sulky Pinkie to record his voice for her as a gift. It’s a neat scene featuring a recording booth that presses your words on to a single sized record. The following quote and words will contain spoilers… Rose looks through the booths window at Pinkie as he begins to talk. Her doting, besotted eyes look on as her beloved starts his “love verse”…. It goes…

Cutting remarks

Pinkie Brown “You asked me to make a record of me voice. Well, here it is. What you want me to say is ‘I love you.’ Here’s the truth. I hate you, you little slut. You make me sick.“

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Verdict

Anyone who’s followed this here movie blog of mine might of noticed I have some what disappeared. It had been nice having a break and I’ve really missed it, however, it’s proved difficult to return. Then I watched Brighton Rock, and you know what, it was just the injection I needed. Those dark and dingy lit sets and purposely framed noir scenes from impossible angles that directors, writers and actors are all willing to go that extra mile to push the boundaries. Brighton Rock has tough scenes. I read on Wiki that a Daily Mirror critic at the time denounced the razor slashing scenes as “horrific” and concluding, “This film must not be shown.” Nowadays such horrifying headlines are thrown on the front page in big large type to sell their newspapers. Back then, not long after the war, it must of been shocking. To me on this my first viewing, it was exciting, thrilling and reminded me how much I love watching film.

Rating score

Wolfman’s rating 9/10       IMDB 7.3/10

Feel free to recommend me related movies and any other trivia if you wish. Keep having fun at the movies…. Mikey Wolf

The Snorkel (1958) The Ruthless Gas Man Cometh But From Where?

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This review is for the British thriller, The Snorkel (1958)

Johnny Nobody (1961) Priest Nigel Patrick Investigates Blasphemy & Divine Intervention

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James Ronald Mulcahy (William Bendix) was a successful author. Was this quiet and quaint Irish village actually his birth place? I wasn’t sure. He was an American, maybe the returning prodigal son? With his newest book flying off the shelves he had money to flash. To the dismay of the local residents he had decided to settle within the community and they weren’t practically best pleased. James Mulchay’s mouth was as big as his personality, HUGE!. A thuggish man, large and obnoxious. You see, the village was centered around the parish church and the locals were all God-fearing Catholics. Mulchay’s book on the other hand was centered directly against the Church and the belief of an all seeing and powerful God. He was an atheist and extremely opinionated about it. You didn’t need to ask him or listen to him, he would bulldoze his thoughts onto you as loud as he possibly could. So one thing you didn’t want to see was James Mulchay matching down the road heading for the local pub. Sober he was unbearable but filled with whisky he became the most loathsome, offensive, man on Earth.

The Window (1949) And The Tragic Case Of Bobby Driscoll

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Firstly, anyone heard “crying wolf” anywhere around me will be getting a jolly good telling off, that’s for sure. Using my esteemed name in vain, well whatever next? Further more, wolf’s don’t cry! And don’t listen to those wicked rumours about that wolf shaped ball of fluff, whimpering and sobbing at the back of the Odeon cinema in 1999 during the opening scene of Disney’s Tarzan. It simply wasn’t true, it was not! Sniffles. Oh no, I’ve just thought back to it. “Oh dang it! pass the tissues, please!“. Ok the legend of the crying wolf is true so I’ll let you use the quotation for the Aesop’s Fable to start the film.

Opening intro – “The boy cried ‘wolf’. ‘Wolf’ several times and each time the people came to help him they found that there wasn’t any ‘wolf.”

Moonrise (1948) Bad Killer Blood Runs Through His Veins

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Off I set on another of my travels through film. This time Moonrise from 1948. Didn’t know much about it. The way I like it. Only recently stumbled across it. A film noir it says. I guessed the usual crime filled drama affair? Had to have a love story, you can see that on the movie poster (Haha not the image I used). In I went! All nice and chilled with the opening credits accompanied with a full orchestra bashing out a melody of uplifting, stirring strings……. until then!…

Niagara (1953) Misty Moist Mean Mincing Marilyn Monroe

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The Blonde Bombshell Marilyn Monroe is to die for!. Here’s my review of Niagara (1953)

The Lodger (1944) Jack The Ripper Lives Up The Apple And Pears?

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Who could that towering dark figure hiding in the shadows be? Could that be Jack? This review is for the horror mystery, The Lodger (1944)

The Warriors (1979) Video Store Action Heroes 4 x Walter Hill Movie Memories

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“Can you dig it!” Talk about a film that’s still as special now as the first day of my teenage life. The following nostalgic waffle will be about that cult classic gangbanger, The Warriors. Did it influence my life? Well I never had the urge to buy a maroon leather waist coat if that’s what you mean! Didn’t need to get gang colours painted for all to see. I’m a Lone Wolf you see. I guess on a practical level it taught me to run from barbaric looking gangs of lanky bone heads and dodgy looking death buses filled with crazed thugs. To keep away from dungaree wearing pansy ass punks hanging around toilet blocks! To stop and stand up against a bunch of face painted weirdo’s waving baseball bats. “I’m sick of runnin’ from these wimps anyhow!” Thinking about it, the film probably saved my life a bunch of times. Taught me to be wary of sweet looking girls asking to take this furry hunk home. Only to try and kiss me with razors and stab me up with switchblades. “Shit! The chicks are packed! The chicks are packed!“. Honestly there was probably countless times the teaching of The Warriors helped keep me alive and kicking. Even on a lesser note, I learnt to never miss a train!

Tombstone Rashomon (2017) From Cult Classic Repo Man Director Alex Cox

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This was a first for me. To be asked if I would like to review a film for it’s DVD release. One with a screener and a password. All very exciting. The title Tombstone-Rashomon sounded very intriguing but what really knocked my socks off was the director’s name. That cult favourite, British screenwriter and director, Alex Cox.