The Frightened Man
The Frightened Man | |
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Directed by | John Gilling |
Written by | John Gilling |
Produced by | Robert S. Baker Monty Berman |
Starring | Dermot Walsh Barbara Murray Charles Victor |
Cinematography | Monty Berman |
Edited by | Jack Slade |
Music by | John Lanchbery |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Eros Films |
Release date |
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Running time | 69 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
The Frightened Man, also known as Rosselli and Son, is a 1952 British second feature[1] crime film directed by John Gilling and starring Dermot Walsh, Barbara Murray and Charles Victor.[2] An antiques dealer suffers a dramatic fall from grace.
Plot
[edit]Antiques dealer Roselli's dreams for his son Julius are disappointed when the young man is sent down from Oxford University for bad behaviour. Julius then gets involved with a gang of Camden Town jewel thieves. When they attempt to rob a warehouse Julius is injured in the getaway, but he continues his involvement and formulates a plan to steal diamonds from his wife’s employer in Hatton Garden. The gang leader agrees, but intends to cut out Roselli senior who, unknown to Julius, is a partner in the gang.
Cast
[edit]- Dermot Walsh as Julius Roselli
- Barbara Murray as Amanda
- Charles Victor as Mr Roselli
- John Blythe as Maxie
- Michael Ward as Cornelius Hart
- Thora Hird as Vera
- John Horsley as Harry Armstrong
- Annette D. Simmonds as Marcella
- Martin Benson as Alec Stone
- Ballard Berkeley as Inspector Bligh
- Peter Bayliss as Bilton
- Thomas Gallagher as Matthews
Production
[edit]It was shot at Twickenham and Riverside Studios.
Critical reception
[edit]The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "A well constructed thriller: efficient performances, particularly from Charles Victor, and adequate suspense."[3]
TV Guide wrote: "this decent crime drama was written and directed by John Gilling, known for his efficient low-budget adventures and thrillers."[4]
Britmovie called the film a "decent if unremarkable second-feature crime drama featuring Irish actor Dermot Walsh ... Walsh's father is played by experienced character actor Charles Victor, who performs his role with quiet, self-effacing distinction."
Film historians Steve Chibnall and Brian McFarlane note that "the film won considerable praise for being authentically staged, effectively directed, 'thrilling and human'."[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 128. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
- ^ "The Frightened Man". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
- ^ "The Frightened Man". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 19 (216): 50. 1 January 1952 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "The Frightened Man Trailer, Reviews and Schedule for The Frightened Man | TVGuide.com". Movies.tvguide.com. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
External links
[edit]- The Frightened Man at IMDb
- The Frightened Man then-and-now location photographs at ReelStreets