Dangerous Cargo ** (1954, Jack Watling, Susan Stephen, Karel Stepanek, Terence Alexander) – Classic Movie Review 13,261

The likeable 1954 British second feature crime thriller film Dangerous Cargo stars Jack Watling, Susan Stephen, Karel Stepanek, and Terence Alexander. 

Director John Harlow’s likeable 1954 British second feature crime thriller film Dangerous Cargo stars Jack Watling, Susan Stephen, Karel Stepanek, and Terence Alexander.

Jack Watling plays London Airport security guard officer Tim Matthews, who is blackmailed by dodgy ex-wartime buddy Harry (Terence Alexander), whose boss is nasty crime kingpin Pliny (Karel Stepanek), into spilling the beans on an upcoming gold delivery at the airport. But Alexander and Stepanek have reckoned without the wiles of Watling’s canny wife Janie (Susan Stephen), who sets out to save her husband by telling the police, who let the robbery go ahead to catch the crooks red-handed.

This predictable, rather creaky but busy and diverting little thriller gets a boost from its fast pace and short running time, as well as from the sprightly acting of the lead actors and its nifty supporting players. Note especially in the cast John Le Mesurier as Luigi, Arthur Rigby as Feathers, and Arthur Mullard as thug. Time has given it an extra layer and it certainly has plenty of points of nostalgia interest as an okay example of a typical Brit B crime film of its era.

The story is written by Daily Express crime reporter Percy Hoskins, so the backgrounds must be true and the incidents convincing, while the screenplay by the film’s producer Stanley Haynes is workmanlike. It is made by ACT Films for release by Monarch Film Corporation for ACT Films.

The cast are Jack Watling as Tim Matthews, Susan Stephen as Janie Matthews, Karel Stepanek as Pliny, Richard Pearson as Noel, Terence Alexander as Harry, John Le Mesurier as Luigi, Ballard Berkeley as Findley, Genine Graham as Diana, John Longden as Worthington, Trevor Reid as Watson, Arthur Rigby as Feathers, John H Watson as Tomkins, and Arthur Mullard as thug.

Dangerous Cargo is directed by John Harlow, runs 62 minutes, is made by ACT Films, is released by Monarch Film Corporation, is written by Stanley Haynes, is shot in black and white by Lionel Banes, is produced by Stanley Haynes, and is designed by Don Russell.

It is shot at Walton Studios, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England.

Release date: 21 June 1954.

Heathrow Airport was called London Airport until 1966.

© Derek Winnert 2024 – Classic Movie Review 13,261

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