FEATURE FILMS made at
New Elstree Studios
About The Danzigers
Production Manager Brian Taylor
Geoffrey Helman's Description of New Elstree Studios
Saber of London memories by Robert Arden
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4* Star of my Night~
3* Devil Girl from Mars~ 2* Satellite in the Sky 3* The Depraved 1* Alias John Preston 3* The Hostage # 4* Son of a Stranger 5* The Betrayal 4* Three Sundays to Live 5* A Woman of Mystery |
6* Moment of Indiscretion
4* The Great Van Robbery 5* Three Crooked Men 7* Innocent Meeting 5* Man Accused 4* Web of Suspicion 5* Up The Creek# 7* High Jump 4* Links of Justice 2* Compelled 6* Night Train For Inverness |
5* An Honourable Murder
5* The Spiders Web 3* The Tell-Tale Heart 4* Return of a Stranger 2* The Middle Course 6* Sentenced for Life 6* So Evil So Young 6* Feet of Clay 4* Highway to Battle 7* The Silent Invasion 3* Striptease Murder |
5* Escort for Hire
2* Two Wives at One Wedding 4* Fate Takes a Hand 4* What Every Woman Wants 5* The Pursuers # 2* Three Spare Wives # 5* The Lamp in Assassin Mews # 3* She Always gets their Man # 4* Gang War # 3* The Durant Affair # 1* The Battleaxe # |
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Notes- All these films were produced by the Danziger Brothers except where marked #. * My star rating ranges from 1* very poor, to 7* good
Films marked ~ were produced by The Danzigers prior to their purchase of New Elstree. To Dinosaur Film Page . . . . . . . Danziger- The Untold Elstree Storywas released on dvd in 2011, and it's a story which we must be grateful to Derek Pykett for telling, for he has energetically tracked down a number of personnel to rack their memories about a minor but fascinating part of Britain's tv and cinema scene from fifty years back. The result is one I'm sure the Danzigers themselves would have approved, for this is no critical appraisal of their output, but a reflection of the fun, as Francis Matthews affectionately describes it, of the atmosphere inside the studios. Of course Brian Clemens has to feature, as The Danzigers' first main scriptwriter and he forthrightly admits that they produced "potboilers." Production manager Brian Taylor is maybe too laid back about his time there, it would have been good to get a few more facts from him, but assistant director Geoffrey Helman remembered more, but their brief seems to have been to tell as many amusing tales as they could rather than contribute any serious evaluation of their work. Other actors include Geoffrey Bayldon, who has one good story at the end, Ian Gregory, who comes over very charmingly, and Trader Faulkner, the only one to undertake any analysis. Brian Cobby is entertaining and Sheila Whittingham has a nice account of how she met Harry Danziger. But presumably because they either couldn't or wouldn't, it's a pity that others who went to New Elstree weren't able to contribute, like Honor Blackman, Michael Caine or Leslie Phillips. But there is a good balance of reminiscence, sometimes well illustrated by a still or clip, more short clips to prove the point being made would have been beneficial. At the half way point, rare silent footage of the studios, shot by Francis Matthews, makes a welcome change of pace and is worthy of close study, before this, the groundbreaking The Nudist Story is reviewed. However after this, a disproportionate amount of attention, a quarter of the whole, is given to the Richard the Lionheart tv series. This section becomes too rambling, with memories of interesting but not key Danziger actors like Francis de Wolff and Nigel Green, but no mention, for example, of some bigger names who graced the studios. Presumably this focus on the Danzigers' final tv series was partly because personnel remembered this series best, or was it, as Pykett says, because it was the Danzigers' most successful series? If it was, why did the studios close immediately afterwards? The reason is not given, but surely their most successful series was the Mark Saber/ Saber of London saga which ran to 156 episodes, four times more than that of the Lionheart! But this series is dismissed with two slightly distasteful jokes about the star Donald Gray. Even worse, there is no mention at all of their best series, though that's only my opinion, The Cheaters. The claustrophobic film The Tell Tale Heart is covered, but without mentioning it was the only Danziger feature to receive any sort of award. However, that said, there are very few factual errors. Devil Girls from Mars is a slight slip, while stating that the 30 minute tv films could be cut to 28 minutes was slightly out, as tv films lasted 25 or 26 minutes. I would also query whether as many as 140 feature films were made at the studios, I'd like all the titles please. At almost two hours ("everything's too long now" admits Clemens), the whole could have been improved by judicious editing, never had The Danzigers themselves lasted that long on screen! But that is being pernickety and this is not a documentary that aims to do much more than reflect the happy times spent by a happy family group, presided over by the two brothers, taskmasters, yes, but loyal to their employees, and producing a remarkable if sadly forgotten underrated slice of celluloid history, yes it was a story worth telling. Danziger Menu . . . . . . . . . . STAR OF MY NIGHT (1954, Hammersmith Studios, directed by Paul Dickson)The first film that the Danziger brothers produced in Britain before they had purchased New Elstree. The start is completely untypical of anything else the Danzigers did here, a long ballet dance by the "charming" Iris, whose attractions have long worn off before this five minute sequence is completed.
. . . . . . . . MOMENT OF INDISCRETION (directed by Max Varnel, 1957)A well developed story that builds tension about John Miller (Ronald Howard), a successful lawyer. His wife Janet is being pestered by her ex-fiance Eric, and she goes to see him at a friend's flat, to say a final goodbye, for he is off to deepest South America. As she leaves, she witnesses a woman being stabbed, Janet screams and runs off. Vicky Drayton is the dead girl. Of course Janet has left clues behind her! Inspector Marsh finds her at home with her husband, she claims that she had lost her spare key and hand made hanky weeks ago, but that is soon disproved. "I saw everything," she admits. John listens on amazed as she describes the killer's face, "I'll never forget it." The flat where she had met Eric belongs to a James Corby. He is the killer! When Janet sees him, she recognises him instantly. But Corby counters her accusation, suggesting that Janet knew the dead woman. They had met briefly a month earlier, and Marsh arrests Janet. John Miller punches the inspector. Janet tells John that she now recalls finding a lipstick covered cigarette in Corby's room, but surely the lawyer John shouldn't retrieve it? As Marsh tells him, it could have been found anywhere. Corby's star model Pamela had supplied the alibi for Corby. John cannot get her to retract her statement, but in her flat he does dicover a ring that Vicky had been wearing. A jeweller had sold it to Corby himself. Searching Vicky's flat, John is interrupted by Corby, and there's a struggle before Corby is knocked out. John phones the police, and Inspector Marsh releases Janet. Uncredited speaking roles: 1 Judge. 2 Constable. 3 WPC. 4 Police constable (John Martin). 5 Clayton's clerk. In the screen credits Miller is unaccountably listed as Paul, whereas he is always called John. Also the credits show 'Vicki' Drayton, while the papers spell her name Vicky. Cars: John drives TNM286. Taxi: TJJ697. Police car: WEV745
. . . . . . . . . . . . DEVIL GIRL FROM MARS (1954)Billed as Britain's first sci-fi film.
Some of the dialogue is rather on the wooden level, but if you like this sort of fantasy, the kindest comment might be that Patricia Laffan makes a really camp alien
. . . . . . . Up the CreekA Hammer production with some scenes shot at New Elstree, but much is shot on location. Interesting question is whether Sellers ever acted any scenes at New Elstree. A rocket through the commander's bathroom sees the culprit Lt Fairweather (David Tominson) on the carpet, posted to a mothballed ship in Suffolk (even though a London bus is seen nearby!).
. . . . . . . . . . . SATELLITE IN THE SKY (1955)Cinemascope, Eastmancolor and Stereophonic Sound! Can this be the Danzigers? With a critical verdict of "tacky," suffice it to say that soon after this they decided to concentrate on B features. Subplots with Larry (a slightly portly Jimmy Hanley) and another with Jimmy (a young Bryan Forbes) slow down this unusually lengthy film even further. It's all about the first flight out of the pull of earth's gravity. "What will man have gained?" asks a philosophical reporter Kim (Lois Maxwell). This referring to the plot, not the film. After half an hour big name star Donald Wolfit finally appears. Had he been given a morning off?! He plays a war officer and informs the pilot (Kieron Moore) that the flight will have a powerful tritonium bomb on board. Off flies the Stardust, a fairly ordinary looking aircraft (well this was 1955) with one stowaway, in the shape of Kim, though hardly in the style of the Dr Zachary Smith-to-be of 'Lost in Space'. In fact it's Donald Wolfit who seems to gradually take on the Zachary role model! Unfortunately the bomb, instead of zooming off into the beyond, annoyingly clings to the satellite and there's a bit of a flap trying to prevent it from exploding either in space or plummeting back to earth. There, the experts decide there's no hope, though a futile rescue mission sets off, in the shape of a new top secret craft, American of course. There are some corny conversations as we wait for the Big Bang on the lines of "If things had turned out differently...." Then at almost the twelfth hour the proto Zachary Smith becomes peculiarly unselfish and manages to unsuperglue the offending bomb. Yes, stick to the B stuff, Brothers. I found the most enjoyable way of passing the time was in spotting some uncredited actors, those with speaking roles included: 1 Bob. 2 George. 3 Radio Operator (Trevor Reid). 4 Tim. 5 Bill. 6 Guard (Len Sharpe). 7 Uniformed Guard. 8 Jack the barman (Tony Quinn). 9 Waiter. 10 Lady running fashion show. 11 Engineer. 12 Delivery Man. 13 Radio commentator. 14 English radio man (Arnold Bell). 15 Security Guard. 16 Editor. 17 Messenger. 18 Newsboy. 19 Reporter with editor (Bill Nagy)
. . . . A straightford court case with one clever twist. Flashbacks break up the scenes in the courtroom. Opening scene before the titles is of Edgar Mills (Jack Watling) strangling Clare his wife (Sarah Lawson) in the bathroom.
Uncredited speaking parts: Jordan (Andreas Malandrinos). 2 Reporter. 3 Usher (Howard Lang). 4 Second Reporter (Peter Bathurst). 5 Harold Fleming. 6 Witness (Robert Dorning). 7 Policeman . . . . The Spider's Web (1960 directed by Godfrey Grayson)Glynis Johns stars as scatty Clarissa. In fact this is an unusual all star cast for the Danzigers, though it is down to Peter Butterworth to make the most of his part. With an Agatha Christie plot, and colour, this is not the Danzigers you know and hate! Clarissa has recently rented Copplestone Court with her husband (John Justin), along with butler Elgin (David Nixon). The hosuekeeper Miss Peake (Cicely Courtneidge) says he is a crook! Former occupant was a dubious antique dealer. Oliver Costello has married Miranda a drug addict, who wants her daughter Pippa back. She is now Clarissa's ward. Costello breaks into the house and mysteriously dies. Clarissa believes Pippa did it, so gets her friends to cover up, Sir Rowland (Jack Hulbert), local JP (Basil Dignam) and Warrender (Ronald Howard). They hide the corpse in a priest hole, "convenient place for a dead body." On the case is Inspector Lord (Peter Butterworth) who finds no body until Miss Peake inadvertently mentions the existence of the hole. The guests are questioned, but their stories fail to add up, so Clarissa comes clean. But Lord doesn't believe her, so she fabricates a more plausible story. "We recognise the truth," Lord says. But now the corpse disappears. It is found by Clarissa in Rowland's room. Miss Peake had hidden it there. Clarissa can work out what happened and the reason why Costello had come to Copplestone Court is revealed. This leads to the classic line, "never did I dream you were the murderer...." A chase round the grounds (it's Edgwarebury Hotel) concludes the action. Somewhat of a scoop for the Danzigers, though what might have been an Emmy winner is actually mediocre though at least viewable. Costello's car 38SWC. Police car: UUV133 . . . . Alias John Preston (1955)An uneven study of a schizophrenic written by Paul Tabori and directed by David MacDonald. 25 year old Bob (Peter Grant), local amateur golf champion, loves Sally Sandford (Betta St John), her dad Dick (John Longden), a banker, is an old friend of Bob's dad, newspaper editor Joe (Bill Fraser).
Uncredited speaking roles: 1 Sally's dance partner. 2 Table waiter. 3 Elderly guest at party Danziger Menu . . . . "It'll be like opening a tin can," declares boss (Eric Pohlmann), as the crooks drive past a familiar bank seen in several Danziger productions. He's already cased the joint: "with my eyes closed, I could tell you where every nail is." To avoid their security system, the plan is to break in through next door, Westcot's Stores, an old-fashioned shop owned by Don, an ex-boxer (Gordon Jackson) and his wife (Sarah Lawson). Don's got a chip on his shoulder since losing a limb in a road accident.
. . . . . . THREE SUNDAYS TO LIVE (1957)Ernest Morris directs this routine Brian Clemens thriller about a man sentenced to death: the law requires that after sentence has been passed, 3 Sundays must elapse before the execution. Bandleader Frank Martin (Kieron Moore) runs a band playing dance music about twenty years behind the times. He is found by the dead body of a nightclub owner. Late at night, he had been showing ex-singer Ruth Chapman (Sandra Dorne) into the manager's office, when they witnessed him being shot. Then Frank had been bashed on the head and she has disappeared. There he stands, gun in his hand... Inspector Morgan (John Stone) tells Frank "all the cards are stacked against you," as he arrests him.
Police cars: MGF 287, KXR 761. Danziger Menu . . . . . . . Son of a Stranger (1957, directed by Ernie Morris)- James Kenney was typecast playing young tearaways, and this film is a typical example. His part of Tom Adams evokes some sympathy, but in the end he is shown up to
be a callous villain, with a soft centre.
To Danziger Menu . . . . . .
INNOCENT MEETING
A thief breaks into a shop to steal cash. He is interrupted by the owner, who is shot, and the lad runs off. Police give chase, across a bridge over the underground, past a bomb site, to refuge in a large house in Hammersmith. He is cornered in his upstairs room, but his gun is a deterrent, and during the standoff, he recalls how he got into this mess.
imdb lists a lot of uncredited extras, however nearly all are found in the on screen credits, except for Robert Dorning as Turner of The Daily Clarion.
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Man Accused (1959)
Uncredited speaking parts: 1 Delivery boy. 2 female guest at party. 3 Police photographer. 4 Fingerprint man. Bob's MG is (?)RAO872. Beckett the solicitor drives UTM495. Kathy's home is the Edgwarebury Hotel Danziger Menu . . . . . . .
The Middle Course
Lt Cliff Wilson (Vincent Ball) is forced to parachute out over occupied France. This provides some unwonted excitement for the locals of Langfrau, who welcome the newcomer. But the Nazis have sent out a search party for him. Surprisingly the enemy is nowhere to be seen here, because the village is trying to remain neutral, offering no resistance. This attitude sets up the conflict in the film, however since the issue is long dead by the time this film was made, it is really not at all compelling.
Uncredited speaking parts: 1, 2 Franz's wife and young son. 3 Male customer. 4 Rene. 5 Old man
. . . . . . . On the tightrope with no net. A slip, and Bill (Richard Wyler) is finished, his nerves shattered. Now he is a tv repairman, and becomes infatuated with a widowed customer, Mrs Jackie Field (Lisa Daniely), who's "quite a looker." "I've been around... bummed around a bit," he tells her. Indeed this might have been the story of actor Richard Wyler's own life. On the strength of his performance here, he was offered the lead in the Danzigers' next tv series. But Mrs Field, "what kind of woman is she?" asks Kitty, Bill's girl friend, suspicious that Mrs Fields' tv seems to be going wrong too often. She's a man grabber, that's the answer, for Bill becomes more and more obsessed with her. First it's a meal at Ye Old Gate House. Then, back at her luxurious house, she puts on a negligee and they kiss. Next night their destination is the Purple Shade Club, where Kitty finds him. The two women clash in frosty silence. Another repair needed for her tv! Mrs Field encourages Bill to try to return to the trapeze. Money is needed for this. Jackie says her guardian, Mr Raymond Shaw, will help. When they meet, he shows Bill a twelve foot jump, at the top of a four storey building. The building, he explains, is one of the biggest jewellers in London. Bill cottons on. "Crime isn't the answer," he shouts. But it has to be, as Bill gets into training.... Suspense builds as the big moment arrives. His fee of £10,000 is his incentive. Some entertaining moments in the robbery, before Bill finally sees the light and ditches the seductive Mrs Fields, who's really Raymond's girl friend. After an interview at Scotland Yard, "a good word" put in for Bill, we see Kitty waiting for him to emerge. Together they walk away arm in arm. Ah Danziger Menu . . . . . THE DEPRAVED (released 4th January 1958) Directed by Paul Dickson Returning to his Oxfordshire base, Cpt David Dillon (Robert Arden) is stranded and has to ask his way at the avant garde Croft House where Laura (Anne Heywood) lives with her drunken oaf of a husband, Tom. David becomes smitten with her and pays several return visits, that is when Tom isn't there. Laura admits she only married for the money and soon they're talking of an accident to Tom. "You've got yourself the wrong boy," decides David- and that's about as 'Depraved' as it gets. The title of this Brian Clemens tale is perhaps a little misleading!
Some minor errors in this film: the base is at 'Deningley' according to a road sign, but 'Deningly' on a list of addresses. Also David borrows Laura's Zephyr SXP840 and returns it next day as SLY662. However all is OK as by the time he reaches Croft House it's changed back to SXP!
. . . . . . . . . . . The Silent InvasionDuring the war, a small French town is occupied. A Resistance group is set up and members draw lots as to who is to perpetrate the first act of sabotage. Argen, Robert and 17 year old Jean are chosen. However it goes horribly wrong when Jean tries to assist Argen who has been shot in the leg. Both are taken prisoner.
The first ambush takes place by the familiar Tykes Water Bridge
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director- Ramsey Herrington (pseudonym for who?) Engineer and ex-jail-bird Paul (Ronald Howard) is 'wanted' by
"superior dilettante" Mr Fenton (John Gabriel) to come to a bookshop. Not for any cultural purposes, but because of its proximity to a jewellers. Paul's engineering skills are needed to tunnel through to the shop, to nick a quarter of a million pounds. Since Paul's wife and his business associates don't know about his shady past, the reluctant Paul has no option apaprently but to help.
Uncredited speaking cast 1 Manager of Jewellers. 2 Customer (John Serrett). 3 Cleaner (Norah Gordon). 4 The policeman who is shot.
. . . . . . . . . . . NIGHT TRAIN FOR INVERNESS (1960) Chiefly remembered today for the first film appearance of Dennis Waterman. Scene 1 - Langford Children's Hospital. Waterman plays seven year old diabetic Ted who is going home. Ever reliable Colin Tapley plays Dr Jackson, who advises Ted's mum (Silvia Francis) about the insulin Ted will need. "As long as he gets his daily requirement of injections he'll be alright," he warns mum, "if Ted misses so much as one injection...." This prepares us nicely for what follows. The film highlights well the problems diabetes sufferers could face. In his smart blazer and cap Ted arrives home, with a kiss from his selfish and over protective granny. His dad Roy (Norman Wooland) is out too, just out of prison. He is separated from Ann his wife, and granny does everything she can to ensure he keeps away from his family. It's the end of the day at Hawtrey House Prep School. Those were the days when kids walked home, but today Dad's borrowed a car and picks Ted up in a suburban avenue. Swayed by the fact that granny won't find him, he jumps in. Ann, his, mum is not unnaturally distraught when Ted fails to come home. One of Ted's pals saw him getting into a car, and the driver's description fits Roy. Inspector Kent (Valentine Dyall) is summoned. He finds a false trail Roy has left, suggesting Ireland is his destination. Dr Jackson is consulted and turns up at Colin Tapley's second home, Scotland Yard, to warn Kent that poor Ted will be in serious trouble unless he has some insulin soon. Outside Euston Station, Ted passes the famous portico (now demolished) with his dad and dad's former flame Marion (Jane Hylton). It's Scotland they are actually bound for, on the Royal Highlander "the longest train journey without a change from London." In the restaurant car they have a delicious meal with two helpings of ice cream for Ted. The plot does rather collapse when one realises Ted hasn't brains enough to explain he is a diabetic. Yet the police aren't exactly speeding ahead with tracing him. Nor is the express. In fact it seems to be running in circles as it passes the same station twice! By Crewe Ted is feeling sick. But good news - the police have found him! Arrests are made and the police escort them back to Euston. I couldn't see why a Midlands hospital wasn't able to accommodate the patient, unless of course beds were in short supply in those days too! But at last they reach Scotland Yard - it's the wrong man with the wrong lad! A nice touch. In another nice moment, a kindly doctor happens to travel in Ted's compartment. Ted is now thirsty and these are alarming symptoms, if not to the lay mind, to a trained eye. However our doc generously offers Ted some chocs. Finally at midnight Ted falls asleep. Of course it's actually a coma, though our doc, alighting at Carlisle, seems oblivious of it all. Well, Dr Jackson said "a matter of hours." Thankfully he must have meant quite a lot of hours! At 5.15am the train stops at Perth and Marion is next to leave. She has realised that Roy has been using her, since the police were looking for a man and a boy, not a couple and a boy. There are some well enacted close ups as we wait, and wait for Marion to finally learn from the news that Ted needs help, and badly. She phones the Yard - he's on the 7.10 for Inverness, whatever that means. The next stop turns out to be Blair Atholl at 6.13. A doctor treats Ted on the train, waiting at the station, resulting no doubt in an announcement to passengers that this train is running late because of diabetes on the line. Inspector Kent flies up north with mum, and even the faithful Dr Jackson. Roy and Ann patch things up, and Ted is better, and there are smiles all round. Footnote- A letter to Picture Show (3rd Sept 60) claimed this film was "considerably better than the usual run of second features." Silvia Francis is singled out for her performance - she deserves a "bigger break." Uncredited speaking roles: Child in next bed to Ted (John Moulder-Brown). His mother. Nurse in Dr Jackson's office. Newsvendor at station. Roy's landlady. Charlie the barman. Bond, the Control office operative (Brian Nissen). A policeman at this centre. Train guard. Doctor in Roy and Ted's compartment (Arnold Bell). Another assistant at the centre. Traveller mistaken for Roy (Jack Melford). Assistant behind the counter at Perth Station (Larry Noble). A Scottish police constable. A doctor at Blair Athol (Anton Rodgers). A nurse at the Scottish hospital. Roy drives Vauxhall UTM496 Danziger Film Menu . . . TWO WIVES AT ONE WEDDINGThe title might suggest this is a comedy, but it is more a drama with a flashback from the war and a bit of melodrama to conclude. Gordon Jackson stars and adds some integrity to the character who is faced with a bigamous relationship. He is Dr Tom Murray who has just married the lovely Chris (the screen credits unaccountably call her Janet). These "two nice people"get a dreadful surprise when into the reception walks "a very old friend" Annette from France (Lisa Daniely). "I thought you were dead," says Tom, but though they had met during the war, he had gone down with amnesia and he knows nothing of her claim they they were ever married.
. . . . . . . WHAT EVERY WOMAN WANTS(1961, directed by Ernest Morris, 4*) William Fox plays the famous marriage guidance counsellor Philip Goodwin. His son-in-law Tom (Dennis Lotis) is writing about his undoubted skills in articles for The Sunday Family. However Philip's own marriage, if only he knew it, is in danger. His wife Jean (Hy Hazell) is bored, bored of her "perfect husband" because he is so predictable, for instance, at 5.58 each evening he'll be coming off the underground train (picture at Stanmore), and every Wednesday he brings her a box of chocs. Now George Barker (Guy Middleton) is a confirmed bachelor, and Derek Chadwick, a reporter on the rival paper, The Universal Scandal, persuades George to chat up Jean to discredit Tom's story. Is she "faithful as a labrador?" Jean turns him down flat, but Philip's continued superiority and confidence in her makes her change her mind. The pair go out riding and newspaper photos hint at their possible affair. However Philip is convinced it's "all perfectly innocent," which infuriates her even more. Tom also falls out with his wife Sue (Elizabeth Shepherd), and the two women dine and dance with George and Derek. Time for "a counter attack" by the husbands, they go out on the town, so there's more scandal. Philip is persuaded to write about how he will woo his wife back, that annoys her so much she writes about know-it-all husbands. It snowballs. Derek and George overplay their advances, Tom and Philip get drunk, a muddled story in The Scandal suggests Mrs Goodwin is pregnant and is going to divorce Philip. There's a showdown at a night club, a fight then smiles all round. A piece of froth, nicely executed by the cast, even if the script is the sort of thing anyone could write, hardly sparkling as it should be Danziger Film Menu . . . . . . . SO EVIL SO YOUNG (1961, directed by Godfrey Grayson, 6*)One of only a handful of Danziger films to be made in colour.
A huge cast! I think uncredited were Paul and Alice in the so-called club
. . . The Betrayal (1957, directed by Ernest Morris)The first sequence is set in a POW camp. A breakout goes badly wrong when four escapees are shot, the fifth Mike McCall (Philip Friend) is blinded. But he hears the voice of the man who had given them away at Stalag 51. After the war, Mike, having failed to find the traitor, builds a new life working for Reviere Perfumes. In London to promote a new campaign, his old war memories are reopened when he thinks he hears the traitor's voice at the House of Bartel. For a fleeting moment he's sure he heard the man again, as Bartel's guests were leaving a cocktail party. A model who works here, Janet (Diana Decker) helps Mike obtain a guest list, though we know now that the wanted man is Robert Bartel (Philip Saville) himself. This revelation perhaps detracts from the mystery that has been well built up thus far. Bartel, realising he has been found out, opts for the straightforward murderous approach. As Janet calls on Mike for a romantic dinner, he is shot, but of course Bartel misses and escapes unseen. Mike is OK, if winded and a trifle puzzled. Their romance is infectious enough to brighten up the film, Philip Friend always suave, Diana Decker always attractive. "Nothing like being shot at to work up an appetite." Now it's straightforward detection. Seven names are on the guest list, Fleming Dexter the first is no help. The tedious quest drags on unsuccessfully, until the last, Tony Adama, a second rate photographer, who unaccountably does Bartel's pictures. Just too late, Mike gets to Tony, in time to overhear Tony demanding £10,000 then a gunshot. In the worst tradition, Mike finds the corpse, picks up the murder weapon, and is under arrest. He shot Adams as he believed he was the Betrayer. But Mike has worked out that it is Bartel who must be his man. He neatly eludes the police and with Janet's aid, after they've snatched a kiss, goes to confront Bartel. This second half of the film could have been more tightly edited to advantage, though this showdown builds up well culminating with the usual scene of sudden darkness, the criminal with a gun outsmarted by a blind man with keener senses. "I've been waiting for this for fourteen years" Danziger Film Menu . . . . . . . FEET OF CLAY (1960)'The Angel of the Police Courts' is murdered. One of the crooks she'd befriended, Johnny, confesses. A new lawyer (Vincent Ball) is assigned to try and defend Johnny. Is he covering up for someone? At a hostel the woman ran for her sponsors, he questions two other girls that had been helped - including a shoplifter, Diana (Angela Douglas). The manageress of the hostel, Mrs Clark (Hilda Fenemore) appears to run the place as a front, and its occupants are scared of talking, especially of Clark's nasty helper Sanders (Robert Cawdron) who "doesn't need no excuses to beat you up, he looks for an opportunity." If Diana will talk, the racket can be exposed. . . . . . . . . . Although this was the only Danziger film to win critical acclaim, I can't rate it as their best effort. It compares pretty unfavourably with Hammer's attempts at the same genre. There's a claustrophobic outdoor set, which creates a certain unreal atmosphere. But if the film is supposed to frighten you, you would have to be rather naive. In itself the introduction is rather fun - it invites the squeamish to avert their eyes when 'The Noise' starts, the sound of a beating heart. But it does debunk the whole film, which isn't perhaps a serious fault. The best I could say is that Laurence Payne certainly plays tortured soul Edgar with some authority. We meet Edgar who lives alone in rooms opposite the lovely Miss Clare (Adrienne Corri). It's a chance for some voyeurism as he can see into her rooms through the windows, since she leaves the curtains conveniently undrawn. He asks his best friend Karl (Dermot Walsh) "how do you get to know a girl?" Yes, he is pretty green!
Advice noted, he invites her to dinner. And again. She's introduced to Karl - "I like him very much," she admits to Edgar. But it's a bit more serious than that, even though poor Edgar can't see it. From his window, Edgar watches as she enjoys a night of passion with Karl. Mad with jealousy, Edgar's next meeting with Karl is their last. There's
plenty of blood, and flashing lightning as the corpse is hidden - but where? Edgar now waits for Miss Clare to come back to him "soon she must come to me," he tells himself. Instead she seeks the advice of the police. Where has Karl gone?
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FATE TAKES A HAND
A portmaneau story, five little tales in 70 minutes, of five recipients of wartime letters that the post office failed to deliver. A newspaper reporter Karon Green (Christina Gregg) senses a story or two, and with the aid of Inspector Tony Reeve (Ronald Howard) delivers the letters. Certainly there are five amazing results! The first is the coupon for a magazine competition. Jimmy Briggs had posted it, and when he thought he'd won he told his boss (Willoughby Goddard) where to get off, before learning his entry had never been received. But it's an ill wind, though Jimmy was sacked, his boss apologised for his own petty behaviour and offered Jimmy a new job at double the pay. Jimmy had never looked back. Jenny was blinded in the blitz. Major Robert Marsh, "the only man in my life," had written to her but his letter never reached her. They had met on wartime leave and fallen in love. She learned he had died in the war. Karon reads the letter to Jenny, though she seems to be making much of it up. But Jenny is consoled. Karon later reveals to Tony how matters really stood. Rich Wheeler Collins (Basil Dignam) is being framed for divorce by his second wife Sandra. The letter to him is from the war office apologising for giving the wrong date of his first wife Mary's death. It means that he was never legally married to Sandra, he cheerfully informs her. Forrest Maxwell MP's letter is a ransom note. His seven year old daughter Sally in return for £10,000. A demand from The Blitz Mob. Sally had been misisng for two days, but there was never a suggestion of kidnap. She cannot be interviewed as she's in a state of shock. Tony and Karon talk to Bulldog Stevens inside Wormword Scrubbs. He reluctantly admits his part in the crime when he'd found Sally by chance after a bombing raid. His friends had sent the ransom note, but he was against the idea and had returned Sally to outside her home. Sally's memory returns when she sees Bulldog again. Boxer Ronnie Dale (Peter Butterworth) is now down on his luck. His friend tells Tony and Karon how he'd been forced to fix a fight. Though he had his opponent on the ropes, he had to obey orders. But apparently orders weren't orders, since his manager double crossed him in a betting scam. Ronnie had found himself on a manslaughter charge. The letter is from his apologetic manager giving Ronnie a much needed cash windfall. Five good little stories with twists to each. Well written, but I felt maybe one less and a little more time on each would have been better . . . . (1956, directed by Harold Huth at New Elstree Studios)In the South American republic of Santanio, "things are hotting up," when political assassin Vorgler is sentenced to death.
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Return of a Stranger
(1961, directed by Max Varnel, 4*)
. . . . . . Escort for Hire(Made in colour, 1960, directed by Godfrey Grayson, 5*) Two new recruits enlist at Miss Kennedy's escort agency, Steve and Buzz- "we get paid to take dames out!" Impeccable manners are required for this job, the etiquette is they are not lovers, this is all very light hearted and innocent. Pete Murray as Buzz with his American accent gets the laughs, on his first assignment with the over eager Nadia (Jill Melford). Miss Elizabeth Quinn (Jan Holden) is Steve's regular assignment, she has an ulterior motive, and soon she is kissing him, though Miss Kennedy (June Thorburn) has also become 'Terry.' Something of a surprise when this mild tale turns into murder when Elizabeth is strangled. Steve is the main suspect, Inspector Bruce (Peter Butterworth) revives the comedy in his quest for Steve who has gone awol. With the help of his friends, Steve's only hope is to find the real killer. Who had given Miss Quinn all her money? Though the police are after him, Steve manages to get into Elizabeth's flat and searches it thoroughly. The porter had heard her arguing that evening with someone about Steve, evidently she didn't like duping him. He stumbles on a penguin, a souvenir of the Penguin Club, inscribed on the bottom is the name Eldon. She is actually a girl who worked here along with Elizabeth. Club owner is Arthur (Guy Middleton) to whom Steve and Miss Quinn had always gone on their dates. Steve finds Eldon in a dinghy room, the worse for drink. It's a sad though too obvious a scene as she supplies Steve with the name of Elizabeth's admirer. Armed with this information, Steve confronts the murderer . . . . . . . . . .
. . THE GREAT VAN ROBBERY (directed by Ernest Morris, 1957)Denis Shaw unusually plays the inspector investigating a robbery from a quite small van. The money has been laundered out to South America, and our hero, Inspector Caesar Smith goes all the way there to question the unfortunate gentleman (Peter Elliott) who had attempted to bank the stolen cash. Needless to say, he is innocent and the trail is traced back, first to Rome, then Paris and finally Britain, as Smith uncovers the villains. However he is hampered by the fact that he believes that the exporter repsonsible (Philip Saville) is honest, and this nearly gets him bumped off. Finally there's a shootout in a warehouse as the boss attempts to flee the country with his ill gotten gains. Note: possibly the producers were already considering the theme as a possible for a tv series. Eventually they made Man from Interpol with Inspector Anthony Smith in place of Caesar Smith, though his boss at Interpol, Superintendent Mercer, is the same name in this film as the tv series. Cars seen in this film include Danziger standbys, police cars 892FPC and NLM620, while Inspector Smith's own car is another regular, TNM286. In one scene, Smith leaves the Yard in this car only to reach his home in an identical model but numberplate 675LMY. Another police car used is WEV745, while the crook's Zephyr is UCR96. . . . . . .
. . Striptease Murder (1960)The Flamingo Club is where the action is at, scantily clad dancers, today's main attraction is Diana, frenetic dancing to rock music. The end of the act is just what the censor allowed. Diana's husband Bert Black (John Hewer) watches on admiringly. He's the second rate comic turn at the club. In the audience is Carlos Branco (Kenneth J Warren) who sees big times ahead for Diana, if she plays her cards etc etc. Yet she is too wise for all that, she knows he makes his money the wrong way, from dope actually, and besides she doesn't like his current "lump of brainless fat," Angelin. Another ex-lump, Rita (Ann Lynn), has been blackmailing Branco, so it's time for her to be bumped off. Branco arranges for a crazed boffin Perkel to dispose of her with his ingenious transistor device. Peter Elliott's part of Perkel is perhaps the brightest spot in this story... he plays his role without overacting, yet conveys well the role of the singleminded inventor. Diana starts dancing at the club. Sudden collapse. Heart failure. But eagle eyed Bert has spotted her mike had been tampered with. Scotland Yard Inspector Forbes (Trevor Reid), however, is sceptical and refuses to consider it a case of murder. So Bert is on his own. He chats up Angy, aka Angelin, now Branco's ex-lump also. He learns that Rita had argued violently with Angelin the night Diana died, and that Diana had taken Rita's turn. Without yet knowing all the facts, Bert rightly senses what had happened. But as he's getting too near the truth he's beaten up. Stage doorkeeper Lou fills in a missing link- a tradesman, small, thin, had called at the club that fateful day. Furthermore, he might well have been a guest at the club that night. Bert gets a break when he spots Perkel with Branco. Branco is naturally angry that the wrong girl had been killed. "Cheap tramp" Rita is now also increasing her demands on Branco, she wants to muscle in on his dope racket. Her partner Rocco, a waiter at the club, shoots Branco. Bert plans a dance routine which he hopes might entrap Rita. He persuades Perkel to demonstrate his skill once again at the club, and forces Rita into taking part also. He straps a mike to her hand. The act begins. In the audience is Prof Perkel, as well as Inspector Forbes. Terrified she will be electrocuted also, Rita confesses, and Forbes steps in to make his arrests. Bert is pleased to have proved Diana had been murdered, but it is no happy man who makes his lonely walk away from the Flamingo. Several songs and strip scenes mix with the action. The dance of the seven veils is more like six and a half. This is The Danzigers at their tackiest.
To Danziger Menu . . . . . . . . . . .
SENTENCED FOR LIFE
(1959, directed by Max Varnel, 6*)
. . . . Production Supervisor Brian Taylor related how a good deal of time was spent researching this story, which deals with the sensitive issue of concentration camps and Nazi war criminals. In the final analysis, the film is essentially a long chase, quite exciting at times, with only a few brief moments reflecting on the war atrocities. The Producers were Philip Elton and Ralph Goddard. Karl Borgmann, ex Auschwitz commandant, has become a British citizen, there's only one way to obtain justice, and a Jew, David (Francis Matthews) is chosen to fulfil that task. Firstly, he is to ascertain that the man now calling himself Luther is actually Borgmann.
It's pretty clear that this equation is correct, as Luther starts panicking when he realises he has been rumbled. His apartment has been broken into and a swastika daubed on his mirror. Who can help Borgmann?
Cars: David drives TYU 952. Karl first drives 38SMC (used often in The Cheaters). Triumph Herald YDU927. Austin A30 TVA701. Rico drives TLT991 and XBJ904. Taxi: ULH392. Jenny drives 523FP.
. . . . . . . . AN HONOURABLE MURDER (1960, directed by Geoffrey Grayson, 5*) An interesting script from Brian Clemens that shows promise of his later inventiveness, this drama is based on Julius Caesar, the Shakespeare version, here updated to the twentieth century. I won't say Clemens improves the story, but he does eliminate the boring speeches and provides fine character studies, a modern version of The Power Game. Julian Caesar (John Longden) is the chairman not of Rome but of Empire Petroleum and is planning a merger with the powerful Pompey Shipping Line. But Cassius (Douglas Wilmer) thinks it's an ego trip for Caesar who wants Absolute Power. Privately, Cassius tries to persuade the rest of the board to get rid of Caesar, that is by voting him off the board at the meeting called to approve the merger.
Notes: Uncredited speaking parts include, John Brooking as Sam Sayer, Shirley Cain as a telephonist.
. . . . . . . . . . . A 1961 comedy made with a lot of Danziger personnel, including Eldon Howard (screenplay), Brian Taylor (Assoc Producer) and Ernest Morris (Director). George Pittock (Robin Hunter pictured) has inherited £25,000 from his Uncle Ben who lived in the Middle East country of Eshram. Also included are his "household effects" i.e. his three wives, Fatima, Blini and O'Hara. Annoying friend Rupert (John Hewer) helps George break the news to his "Number One Wife" Susan (Susan Stephen). She isn't amused and threatens to go off to mother's! Things only get worse when the papers run the story of the 'Harem Comes to Wimbledon.' Solicitor Probyn is not terribly helpful- "legally it can't exist." Perhaps Hamilton Beckwythe of the Foreign Office can provide some "drastic action"? Or how about Fazim Bey (Ferdy Mayne enjoyably overacting) from the Eshram legation? One solution from Rupert is the George Pittock Marriage Bureau. But by now the plot has become far too disjointed. George's problems are nearly solved but not quite.... Not a lost masterpiece, but mildly entertaining. Danziger Menu . . . . . . . The date- August 10th 1961. A dying lady (Katharine Page, not credited) leaves half a million. She has no family, but on her deathbed she tells Roland Farley, her solicitor, that she did have a child out of wedlock. That girl is Miss Mary Grant (Jane Griffiths), but can she prove who she is? She never knew her mother, Ethel Sinclair Durant, only her beloved father the late Dr Grant who seems to have adopted her at an early age. A brilliant lawyer, Julian Armour (Conrad Phillips) is recommended to her by the solicitor Roly, but appears rather brusque to her, as he knows plenty of dirt might well be thrown up on her revered dad. The major part of the film is the trial itself, presided by the judge (Richard Caldicot). Mary's lawyer introduces the evidence about Mary's birth. A manservant of the Durant household (Tony Quinn) is able to substantiate the fact that his mistress had had a child, but he can claim nothing more concrete than that, cross questioning by Sir Patrick against the plaintiff proves just that. During a lunchbreak, Julian is approached by Mario Costello (Francis de Wolff) who says he has vital evidence. An adjournment is granted to check out the story, though Julian still has time to wine and dine Mary. Day Two in court. Costello states Ethel had been employed at his nightclub 33 years ago. She had confided in him that the father of her child was a medical student. Years later when they had met again, she had given the father's name, James Grant. Sir Patrick challenges this witness in a long tedious exchange. One thing is painfully clear, he is not reliable. By the lunch break, I would say the film badly needs rescuing, and Mary was following me and retreating into her shell. There's another adjournment, as Julian takes the court to a sanatorium to hear the testimony of the ailing Dr Arthur Rawlings. As a young doctor in Manchester in 1928 he had met James Grant at a wild party with Ethel. He was "a weak, irresponsible man." That tips Mary over the edge, she cannot believe he is talking of her late father. Then the witness collapses and dies. What had he not yet revealed? To find out, Julian bribes an official in order to examine Rawlings' effects. There's the vital clue, an address in Kent. Elisabeth Wellings is urgently transported to the courtroom. In her wheelchair, she testifies that Rawlings had written to her about an abandoned baby, his, the letter evidence that Mary was Grant's real daughter. All rather improbable, and one only wonders why all this couldn't have been discovered two days earlier before the trial commenced. Except it would have made the film rather brief. Why Wellings had failed to come forward earlier is another mystery. Oh well, never mind, it all ends happily with a kiss . . . . . . . . . . . A WOMAN OF MYSTERY(1957, directed by Ernest Morris, New Elstree Studios, 5*) The script by Brian Clemens is very typical of him in the 50s, crime investigator moves from character to character, gradually revealing the guilty party. It is slightly enlivened by the pairing of husband and wife team of Dermot Walsh as Ray Savage and Hazel Court as Joy, who work for Fact Magazine. But the script gives them little opportunity to spark together. The narrative owes everything to American detective films, I liked the way Dermot Walsh introduces himself to camera, then provides the narration, perhaps overdone.
Uncredited speaking extras: 1 The messenger boy in Ray's office. 2 Man in Harvey the boss' office (John Martin). 3 Sgt Miller. 4 Charlie desk clerk at the Firston Hotel. 5 Toledo floor show girl. 6 Matthews the sanatorium supervisor- a nurse calls him doctor though Ray addresses him as Mr! 7 Mrs Hale Jane's mother (Katharine Page?). 8 A nurse at the sanatorium. 9 Miss Martin assistant at Andre's. 10 The thug in Ray's flat. 11 and 12 His fellow crooks, one named Johnson in the final punch up. Also appearing briefly: Michael Caine.
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Gang War
Any connection with 1930's gangster films is intentional but non existent. This is an interesting attempt to make a British 'rackets' film and in its naively cheap way it's better than the likes of No Orchids For Miss Blandish. Bill le Sage's music gives the drama a touch of class it perhaps doesn't deserve.
It starts with the vicious shooting in a lonely spot, of cafe owner Grimes. The two killers, Johnny Cato and Chuck Gorman, report back to their boss 'Doc' Tobin (John Gabriel) who runs a seedy club.
Uncredited speaking role: Police officer at crime scene. Cars: police including Bob Craig use mostly AMX237, also seen are 892FPC and 894FPC. Another police car, the one used by the crooks is VXH643. The crooks also drive 484UMF. Danton's car is OLP31
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. . . . . . . . . . Made in 1962, billed as an "Ingram Production", the personnel are mainly Danziger regulars: Associate Producer is Brian Taylor, Script by Mark Grantham and the director is Godfrey Grayson. Music is by a rather unrecognisable Bill le Sage. RJ Conley is a confirmed bachelor engineer with his own business to run. He runs it rather badly. To his secretary, Betty (Ann Sears), who's in love with him of course, he confesses he's "getting on." He's shy with women and asks her to help him. She advises him to relax more- with her she means of course.
As Conley, Terence Alexander is in his element, being bowled over by the young girl from the country. Avril Elgar has a nice cameo as Betty's dowdy friend, whilst William Fox takes on the part of the actor-turned-millionaire with authority. His agent, Michael Balfour, also has a strong little supporting role.
. . . . . . . . . . Note: a surviving print used for dvd release has no titles. Someone has added these recently, crediting Bill le Sage with the music, although it is by Edwin Astley.
Danziger Menu . . . . . . . . . . The BattleaxeThe producer was John Ingram. Godfrey Grayson directed. Script: M M McCormack (Mark Grantham) Heiress Audrey Page (Jill Ireland) is just a little overprotected by Agnes her suffocating mother (Joan Haythorne). So much so that Tony Evers (Francis Matthews) has been forbidden seeing her. Frustrated, he sues her for breach of promise.
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. . . . . . . . . There were at least 55 UK feature films produced by Edward and Harry Lee Danziger. There were others that were made using the studio's personnel, but were not produced by the brothers, who sold their interest in the business in late 1961. Prior to coming to the UK, the Danziger brothers also produced four films in America- Jigsaw (1949), So Young, So Bad (1950), St. Benny the Dip (1951), Babes in Bagdad (1952). Here is a list of their features: 1954: Devil Girl From Mars, Star of My Night 1955: Alias John Preston 1956: Satellite in the Sky 1957: Three Crooked Men, The Betrayal, The Depraved, Operation Murder, Son of a Stranger, Three Sundays to Live, Moment of Indiscretion 1958: High Jump, Innocent Meeting, Links of Justice, No Safety Ahead, On the Run, A Woman of Mystery, The Great Van Robbery 1959: The Child and the Killer, Crash Drive, Date at Midnight, Man Accused, Top Floor Girl, Web of Suspicion, Woman Possessed, Date at Midnight, Woman's Temptation, 1960: Compelled, Escort for Hire, Feet of Clay, Highway to Battle, An Honourable Murder, Identity Unknown, Night Train for Inverness, Operation Stogie, Sentenced for Life, The Spider's Web, A Taste of Money, The Tell-Tale Heart, Transatlantic, Two Wives at One Wedding 1961: The Gentle Terror, Strip Tease Murder, The Nudist Story, The Court Martial of Major Keller, Fate Takes a Hand, Middle Course, Part-Time Wife, Return of a Stranger, So Evil So Young, Tarnished Heroes, The Spanish Sword. Films produced at New Elstree with studio personnel, but not actually produced by the Danzigers 1961: Three Spare Wives, The Pursuers 1962: The Durant Affair, Design for Loving, Gang War, She Always Gets Their Man, The Silent Invasion, What Every Woman Wants, The Lamp in Assassin Mews, and The Battleaxe- the working name for this final film made at New Elstree, was Breach of Promise (Production No 537) OTHER PRODUCTIONS WERE MADE AT NEW ELSTREE by independent producers, including the feature film The Hostage (1956), Enemy from Space (aka Quatermass II, 1957), The Accursed (The Traitor) EJ Fancey Production (1957), and Count 5 and Die (1957). TV SERIES. As well as Danzigers' own productions, some episodes of Sailor of Fortune were filmed at New Elstree, and two episodes of the US Wire Service were also made here. It is stated that some episodes of the 1955 Aggie were also made at New Elstree, but the few episodes of this series I have seen cannot as yet confirm this. TWO MYSTERIES: Stage and TV Weekly 28 Jan 1960 p 13 mentions: YOUNG SINNERS (technicolor, “just finished”- probably this is So Evil So Young). Also, YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE – a comedy. This could be an alternative title for a film listed above, or maybe it was only a projected movie. There was also Fun at the Movies, dated 1956, but this was possibly a compilation, with clips linked by a Michael Bentine. Several features of compilations of the tv series Calling Scotland Yard, and The Vise were made for cinema release. The films were: 1954: Gilbert Harding Speaking of Murder, A Tale of Three Women. 1955: Three Cornered Fate, Triple Blackmail, The Yellow Robe DANZIGER Menu . . . . . . . . . Memories of New Elstree by BRIAN TAYLOR,the Danzigers' right hand man in the latter years of production, has written an account of this chapter of his career in his book "Grandfathers Tales." It's well worth a read! He told me that Ralph Rodgers, the librarian at New Elstree, "kept tabs on" Danziger material for many years. He also added details of how Bravo obtained their prints of Man from Interpol which they showed in the early nineties. The producer in question reckoned he had produced them (though he hadn't) and "had cut off all the British credits from the prints and then placed his company into bankruptcy, after he had taken the cash, to avoid any litigation from the Danzigers." In a very helpful letter in January 2005, Brian Taylor confirmed some initial
planning was done for a tv series 'The World is My Beat' but the project was aborted as there
was "no sponsor prepared to back."
He also confirms Daniel Massey had been approached about 'Ali Baba,' though
"nothing apart from very preliminary discussions took place." He also explains why
the series never got off the ground:
On a happier note, Brian adds: "I spoke to Harry Danziger only a couple of weeks
ago. He now lives in Palm Springs and has reached the grand old age of 92, and can
carry on a lively conversation."
Note- In The Veteran No.78 (Autumn 1996) Brian wrote about the sale of all the studio effects, which occurred in Spring 1964.
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. . . . . . . . . . . About the New Elstree Studios-
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