Little Red Monkey
1955 British film by Ken Hughes From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Little Red Monkey (U.S. title: The Case of the Red Monkey) is a 1955 British thriller film directed by Ken Hughes and starring Richard Conte, Rona Anderson and Russell Napier.[1] The screenplay was by Hughes and James Eastwood, based on the 1953 BBC Television series of the same name written by Eric Maschwitz.[2]
| Little Red Monkey | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Ken Hughes |
| Written by | James Eastwood Ken Hughes |
| Based on | story by Eric Maschwitz |
| Produced by | Alec C. Snowden |
| Starring | Richard Conte Rona Anderson Russell Napier Sylva Langova |
| Cinematography | Josef Ambor |
| Edited by | Inman Hunter Geoffrey Muller |
| Music by | Trevor Duncan |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Anglo-Amalgamated Film Distributors |
Release date |
|
Running time | 71 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Detectives from Scotland Yard investigate a series of murders of leading nuclear scientists, and are intrigued by strange reports received about the crimes.
The film was an international hit, and along with Confession (1955) proved a breakthrough for Anglo-Amalgamated. After its success the company began making more expensive productions, often hiring American stars for international appeal.[3][4]
Cast
- Richard Conte as Bill Locklin
- Rona Anderson as Julia Jackson
- Russell Napier as Superintendent John Harrington
- Sylva Langova as Hilde Heller, chief spy
- Colin Gordon as Harry Martin, reporter
- Donald Bisset as Editor Harris
- John King-Kelly as spy henchman
- Bernard Rebel as Vinson, spy henchman
- Arnold Marlé as Professor Leon Dushenko
- John Horsley as Detective Sergeant Gibson
- Jane Welsh as Superintendent McCollum
- Theodore Wilhelm as Secretary of the International Social Club
- Colin Tapley as Sir Clive Raglan
- Noel Johnson as Detective Sergeant Hawkins
- Jessica Kearns as airport hostess
- Geoffrey Denys as Doctor Mayhew
- Gianfranco Parolini as Inspector May
- Guy Deghy as Social Club Recreation Director
- Peter Godsell as Tommy McCollum
- Ed Devereaux as American sailor
- George Margo as American sailor
- André Mikhelson as East German Chief of Border Guards
- Tony Sympson as cab driver
Production
The film was made by Anglo-Amalgamated at Merton Park Studios, a co-production with Anglo Guild.[5][6][7]
Critical reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin said: "Some efficient photography and editing eke out the meagre excitements".[8]
Variety wrote: “Like many British-produced pictures, it lacks American-type pace and is a routine entry in the program market. Conte portrays a U.S. State Dept. officer ... but displays little of the dash and ingenuity such a part calls for."[9]
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as “average” and wrote: “Conte and direction a cut above the rest in this moderately exciting thriller".[10]
The Radio Times Guide to Films gave the film 3/5 stars, writing: "Ken Hughes honed his skills as a director of thrillers working on the Scotland Yard B-movie series. Consequently, this quota quickie has a great deal more substance and style than many of its contemporaries. ... Hughes keeps the action on the boil, while Russell Napier and Rona Anderson are fine as a Scotland Yard detective and his niece."[11]
References
External links
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