Three Steps To The Gallows [White Fire] ** (1953, Scott Brady, Mary Castle, Gabrielle Brune, Ferdy Mayne, Michael Balfour) – Classic Movie Review 11,839

Writer-director John Gilling’s 1953 British black and white second feature mystery suspense thriller Three Steps to the Gallows stars Scott Brady, Mary Castle, Ferdy Mayne, Colin Tapley and John Blythe. It is written by John Gilling and Paul Erickson, based on an original story by Paul Erickson.

Scott Brady stars as American merchant ship officer Gregor Stevens, who arrives on shore leave in London, where he finds his brother is to be hanged for murder in three days, after being framed by a gang of gem smugglers based in a nightclub.

He soon finds himself in similar deadly trouble after meets nightclub entertainer and smuggler Yvonne Durante (Mary Castle), who helps him try to prove the innocence of his brother.

This short (81 minutes), likeable, tense and twisty Brit Fifties crime filler thriller is enhanced by Gilling’s competent writing and capable direction and the attractive performances of the two American stars and the loyal Brit support cast.

Also notable in the cast are Gabrielle Brune, Lloyd Lamble, Ballard Berkeley, Hal Osmond, Ronald Leigh-Hunt, Michael Balfour, Ronan O’Casey, Johnnie Schofield, and Julian Somers.

It was released in the US as White Fire.

Three Steps to the Gallows [White Fire] is directed by John Gilling, runs 81 minutes, is made by Tempean Films, is released by Eros Films (UK) and Lippert Pictures (US), is written by John Gilling and Paul Erickson, based on an original story by Paul Erickson, is shot in black and white by Monty Berman, is produced by Robert S Baker and Monty Berman, and is scored by Stanley Black, with Art Direction by C Wilfred Arnold.

The main cast are Scott Brady as Gregor Stevens, Mary Castle as Yvonne Durante, Gabrielle Brune as Lorna Dryhurst, Ferdy Mayne as Mario Sartago, Colin Tapley as Arnold Winslow, John Blythe as Dave Leary, Michael Balfour as Carter, Lloyd Lamble as James Smith, Julian Somers as John Durante, Ballard Berkeley as Inspector Haley, Ronan O’Casey as Crawson, Johnnie Schofield as Charley, Paul Erickson as Larry Stevens, Hal Osmond as desk clerk, Ronald Leigh-Hunt as Captain Adams, Alastair Hunter as Hotel Manager, Russell Westwood as Mike, Larry Taylor as Sam, Dennis Chinnery as Bill, Neil Hallett as Real Counterman, Stanley Meadows as 2nd Clerk – Travel Agent, Arthur Mullard as Prison Warder, Leonard Sharp as Clerk – Somerset House, and Conrad Phillips as Clerk – Travel Agent.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,839

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com