Stolen Assignment
Stolen Assignment is a 1955 British comedy 'B' film directed by Terence Fisher and starring John Bentley and Hy Hazell. It was written by Kenneth Hayles from a story by Sidney Nelson and Maurice Harrison, and produced by Francis Searle for Act Films Ltd. It was a sequel to Fisher's Final Appointment (1954), featuring sleuthing journalists Mike Billings and Jenny Drew.
| Stolen Assignment | |
|---|---|
.png) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Terence Fisher |
| Written by | Kenneth Hayles |
| Story by |
|
| Produced by | Francis Searle |
| Starring | John Bentley |
| Cinematography | Walter J. Harvey (as Jimmy Harvey) |
| Edited by | John Pomeroy |
Production company | Association of Cinema Technicians (A.C.T.) |
| Distributed by | British Lion Film Corporation (UK) |
Release date |
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Running time | 62 min. |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Stolen Assignment is a 1955 British comedy 'B'[1] film directed by Terence Fisher and starring John Bentley and Hy Hazell.[2] It was written by Kenneth Hayles from a story by Sidney Nelson and Maurice Harrison, and produced by Francis Searle for Act Films Ltd.[3] It was a sequel to Fisher's Final Appointment (1954), featuring sleuthing journalists Mike Billings and Jenny Drew.[4]
Cast
[edit]- John Bentley as Mike Billings
- Hy Hazell as Jenny Drew
- Eddie Byrne as Inspector Corcoran
- Patrick Holt as Henry Crossley
- Joyce Carey as Ida Garnett
- Kay Callard as Stella Watson
- Violet Gould as Mrs. Hudson
- Jessica Cairns as Marilyn Dawn
- Charles Farrell as Percy Simpson
- Michael Ellison as Danny Hudson
- Desmond Rayner as John Smith
- Graham Stuart as coroner
- Frank Forsyth as Dr Roberts
- Clement Hamelin as Seth Makepeace
- John Watson as plain clothes detective
- Raymond Rollett as desk sergeant
Critical reception
[edit]The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Comedy thriller with a fragile plot and a rather heavy-handed line in humour. To their credit, the players do what they can with the undemanding material to hand."[5]
Kine Weekly wrote: "Subtlety is not its irony suit, but its keen sense of humour, shrewdly cultivated by its co-stars and director, sees it through. Clean fun, if not a great thriller, it will register with most audiences. Reliable British support."[6]
The Daily Film Renter wrote: "Terence Fisher brings a hghthearted touch to bear from the directorial end and the laughs come plentifully, Likewise the cast takes its uncomplicated dialogue and situations well in its stride."[7]
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "poor", writing: "Comedy-thriller would have done better to stick to the thrills; pretty bad."[8]
References
[edit]- ^ Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 109. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
- ^ "Stolen Assignment". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
- ^ Action! Fifty Years in the Life of a Union. Published: 1983 (UK). Publisher: ACTT. ISBN 0 9508993 0 5. ACT Films Limited - Ralph Bond p81 (producer listed as Francis Searle)
- ^ "Final Appointment 1954 | Britmovie | Home of British Films". www.britmovie.co.uk. Archived from the original on 25 August 2012.
- ^ "Stolen Assignment". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 22 (252): 156. 1 January 1955. ProQuest 1305818139.
- ^ "Stolen Assignment". Kine Weekly. 461 (2512): 17. 18 August 1955. ProQuest 2738581535.
- ^ "Stolen Assignment". The Daily Film Renter (6935): 4. 16 August 1955. ProQuest 2600886722.
- ^ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 379. ISBN 0-7134-1874-5.