The Gelignite Gang ** (1956, Wayne Morris, Sandra Dorne, James Kenney) – Classic Movie Review 11,139

‘From Today’s Headlines Comes The Story of Killers That Terrorized a City… and the Men and Their Women Who Blew the Lid Sky High.’

Directors Francis Searle and Terence Fisher’s 1956 humble British B-movie black and white crime thriller The Gelignite Gang [The Dynamiters] stars imported American actor Wayne Morris as private detective Insurance investigator Jimmy Baxter, who sets out with his fiancée/ secretary Sally Morton (Sandra Dorne) to discover the clever head of a band of ruthless dynamite safe-cracker gem thieves planning their next robbery in London’s Soho.

[Spoiler alert] Dorne is kidnapped by the chief bad guy Mr G, the gang’s secret mastermind – who turns out to be none other than Morris’s boss John Rutherford (Patrick Holt) who had tried to stop him investigating in the first place.

The Gelignite Gang [The Dynamiters] is a bit of a mixed bag. Though producer Brandon Fleming’s original story lacks a lot of wit or ingenuity, and the film lacks enough excitement and tension, Searle and Fisher direct with their customary style, pace and even some flair, and the low production values add to the authenticity. Quite honestly, though, not enough is happening to fill even this short running time of 74 minutes, and some of the dialogue in Brandon Fleming’s screenplay is risible.

Also in the cast are James Kenney, Eric Pohlmann, Arthur Young, Lloyd Lamble, Hugh Miller, Ossie Waller, Bertha Russell, Leigh Crutchley, Monti DeLyle, Bernadette Milnes, Mark Daly, and Tony Doonan.

The Gelignite Gang [The Dynamiters] is directed by Francis Searle and Terence Fisher, runs 74 minutes, is made by Cybex Film Productions, is released by Renown Pictures Corporation (UK), is written by Brandon Fleming (original story and screenplay), is shot in black and white by Cedric Williams, is produced by Brandon Fleming and Geoffrey Goodheart, and is scored by Jerry Levy.

It was shot in London and in the studio at Brighton Film Studios, St Nicholas Road, Brighton, East Sussex, England.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,139

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