Judgment Deferred ** (1952, Hugh Sinclair, Helen Shingler, Abraham Sofaer, Leslie Dwyer, Joan Collins, Harry Locke) – Classic Movie Review 12,482

By the time of this Australian poster for Judgment Deferred (1952), Joan Collins had been elevated to main star,

Director John Baxter remakes his own film Doss House (1933) in the interesting but tepid 1952 British thriller film Judgment Deferred, starring Hugh Sinclair, Helen Shingler, Abraham Sofaer, Leslie Dwyer, Joan Collins, and Harry Locke.

The plot runs something like this: a drug smuggler puts an innocent man in trouble, and his oddball derelict pals join together to put the crook in his place.

Hugh Sinclair stars as a reporter inquiring into a drug ring, who finds a group of refugees and down-and-outs working out of an English West-country church crypt. With the assistance of the journalist, the group try to unmask the criminal who has framed one of their number as a drug dealer.

There’s OK acting from an interesting cast, and, with its socially concerned theme and unusual characters, it is an intriguing situation. But the Dorset settings can’t disguise the rather stagnant direction and contrived, old-style plot.

Joan Collins plays Lil Carter, in her second film in her second year on the big screen, following her uncredited debut in 1951.

This is certainly the one for all those who want to know what Joan Collins looked like, aged 19, in her third picture. She debuted in Lady Godiva Rides Again [Bikini Baby] as Beauty Queen Contestant (uncredited) in 1951, followed by The Woman’s Angle, Judgment Deferred and Ealing Studios’  I Believe in You (all 1952).

Edmundo Ros and His Orchestra pop in and Bud Flanagan appears as himself.

The film was shot at Southall Studios as the first production from Group 3 Films, formed to encourage new young British film-makers, It went on to produce The Brave Don’t Cry, Conflict of Wings, and The Angel Who Pawned Her Harp.

The cast are Hugh Sinclair as David Kennedy, Helen Shingler as Kay Kennedy, Abraham Sofaer as Chancellor, Leslie Dwyer as Flowers, Joan Collins as Lil Carter, Harry Locke as Bert, Elwyn Brook-Jones as Coxon, Marcel Poncin as Stranger, Martin Benson as Pierre Desportes, Bud Flanagan as Himself, Bransby Williams as Dad, Michael Martin Harvey as Martin, Harry Welchman as Doc, Wilfred Walter as Judge, Maire O’Neill as Mrs. O’Halloran, Mary Merrall as Lady Musterby, Edgar Driver as Blackie, Billy Russell as Ginger, Sam Kydd as Ambulance Driver, Martin Benson, June Elvin, Harold Goodwin, Fred Griffiths, Michael Martin Harvey, Michael Hogarth, Ann Lancaster, Cyril Smith, Marcel Poncin, Herbert C Walton, Freddie Watts, John Wynn, and Wilfred Walter.

© Derek Winnert 2023 – Classic Movie Review 12,482

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