The Trygon Factor ** (1966, Stewart Granger, Susan Hampshire, Robert Morley, Cathleen Nesbitt) – Classic Movie Review 9123

Director Cyril Frankel’s crazily convoluted, murky 1966 thriller The Trygon Factor is based on a novel by Edgar Wallace (uncredited) and stars Stewart Granger as Scotland Yard inspector Superintendent Cooper-Smith investigating an oddball English family planning wild robberies.

There’s murder, suspense, farce, drama and lots more thrown into the pot, and, while the actors seem to have had an enjoyable time making it, the audience is unlikely to have as much fun viewing it.

The unconvincing script by Derry Quinn (screenplay), Stanley Munro (screenplay) and Kingsley Amis harms it, but Stewart Granger, Susan Hampshire, Cathleen Nesbitt and Robert Morley are good value and it remains oddly watchable.

Also in the cast are James Culliford, Brigitte Horney, Sophie Hardy, James Robertson Justice (voice), Allan Cuthberston, Russell Waters, Colin Gordon, John Barrett, Caroline Blakiston, Eddi Arent, Diane Clare, Richardina Jackson, Inigo Jackson and Jeremy Hawk.

The Trygon Factor is directed by Cyril Frankel, runs 88 minutes, is made by Portman Productions, Preben-Philipsen, and Rialto Film, is released by Rank Film Distributors (1966) (UK) and Warner Bros/ Seven Arts (1969) (US), is written by Derry Quinn, Stanley Munro and Kingsley Amis, is shot in Technicolor by Harry Waxman, is produced by Horst Wendlandt, Brian Taylor and Ian Warren (executive producer), is scored by Peter Thomas and is designed by Roy Stannard.

It was shot from 15 August 1966 to 7 October 1966 at Shepperton Studios, Surrey, England, and at St Mary’s College, Strawberry Hill, Twickenham, Middlesex, England.

James Culliford was born on September 8, 1927 but suffered a stroke in 1972 and died on March 23, 2002. His partner was actor Alfred Lynch.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 9123

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