Harry H. Corbett Movies
The son of a British army officer, Harry Corbett was born in Burma and raised in Manchester. After working as a radiographer, the deceptively oafish-looking Corbett began his acting career in repertory; during this period he added the initial "H" to his billing to avoid confusion with a popular ventriloquist of the same name (when asked what the "H" stood for, his standard answer was "H'anything.") Spending several seasons with Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop, he made his film bow in 1957, playing brutes and lunatics before gaining TV fame in the BBC sitcom Steptoe and Son. The precursor to the American series Sanford and Son, Steptoe cast Corbett as the long-suffering son of irascible junk dealer Wilfred Brambell (his role was essayed by Demond Wilson while Brambell's counterpart was Redd Foxx). Honored with the OBE in 1976, Harry H. Corbett went into virtual retirement thereafter; he died in 1982, at the age of 57. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1960
Veteran British "heavy" Donald Pleasence has the 1960 programmer The Big Day all to himself. Pleasence plays a businessman who has overextended himself financially, and overplayed his hand in his personal life. His already rocky marriage is further threatened by his impatient mistress. Adding to his headaches is his go-getting brother-in-law, whose salesmanship savvy may very well lose Pleasence his job. Donald Pleasence is so much better than his material in The Big Day that it might be advisable to turn the sound down and revel in his silent emoting. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
Cover Girl Killer demonstrates that the sleaze market was as active in 1960 as today. In this grindhouse quickie, some looney tune is bumping off photographer's models. A Hugh Hefner-type girlie mag publisher, anxious that his talent pool not be depleted, sets a trap for the killer. The publisher's top model, a pneumatic blonde, allows herself to be used as bait. There's epidermis aplenty but no outright nudity in Cover Girl Killer; still, the film found its way on the "art house" circuit in the early 1960s. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
An unfortunate sailor (Tony Wright) gets implicated in a murder he never committed in this confusing drama by David Eady. After a bookie is murdered, the sailor is caught in an ever-tightening vice that would trap him as the killer unless he can clear himself. Along the way to struggling free and tracking down the real culprits, several unsavory characters cross his path as well as a rather interesting woman (Shirley Eaton) who sets romantic sparks flying. Although director Eady and the cast have done their best with the story, it is too thin to survive even the short running time of 69 minutes. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tony Wright, Shirley Eaton, (more)
- 1960
In this drama, a prison inmate escapes and discovers that his partner has married the very cop that arrested him and has used the robbery loot to open a coastal resort. The fugitive convict is quietly followed by an inspector who arrests them all at the holiday camp. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1959
Filmed on location, Shake Hands With the Devil is set in Ireland during the "troubles" of 1921. James Cagney plays a brilliant medical professor who doubles as head of the Irish Republican Army. Cagney convinces one of his more pacifistic students, Don Murray, to join the underground struggle against British rule. Murray suffers a crisis of conscience when his sweetheart Dana Wynter is taken hostage by the IRA and is slated for execution by the zealous Cagney. Several members of Dublin's Abbey Players appear in supporting roles in Shake Hands With Devil. Watch for Richard Harris in the small part of Terence O'Brien. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Cagney, Don Murray, (more)
- 1959
In this suspenseful crime drama, a canny American businessman living in London devises an ingenious plan to get his kidnapped son back. First he sends the required ransom. As per his plan, the abductors begin fighting amongst themselves for the loot. The death of one crook leaves behind invaluable clues to the boy's location. In the film's exciting climax, the father uses a flame-thrower to save his son. Meanwhile Scotland Yard captures the villains. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1958
Maggie Smith makes her film debut in this outing as an aristocrat whose sheltered existence is shattered by the arrival of George Nader. Nader is a fugitive from justice who can expect no help from his fellow criminals. He takes refuge in Smith's home, entreating her to shield him from the police. She draws closer to Nader after the latter is accidentally shot. The film was adapted from a novel by Donald McKenzie. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Nader, Bernard Lee, (more)
- 1958
After years of suffering through lookalike MGM musicals (at least, that was his complaint), Howard Keel was able to sink his teeth into a dramatic role in the British Floods of Fear. Serving a life term for murder, Donavan (Howard Keel) breaks out of jail with sadistic convict Peebles (Cyril Cusack), taking along a wounded guard (Harry H. Corbett) as hostage. It is Donavan's intention to exact revenge against the man who framed him, but this will have to wait: a driving rainstorm is threatening to precipitate a raging flood. Taking refuge in the tiny house owned by the terror-stricken Elizabeth (Anne Heywood), the convicts and their captives nervously wait out the storm. Slowly, Elizabeth and Donavan are drawn to one another, while Peebles threatens to erupt into a fit of homicidal rage at any moment. When the flood reaches the danger level, Donavan performs several self-sacrificial acts of courage, prompting Elizabeth to try to save him from ruining what's left of his life. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Howard Keel, Anne Heywood, (more)
- 1954
The British Passing Stranger stars Hollywood actor Lee Patterson as a deserting American GI. He drifts about until he falls in with a gang of gunrunners. He wants to quit, but can't until he makes enough money to support himself and his love Diane Cilento. Just before this is possible, Cilento's ex-boyfriend blows the whistle on the crooks. Just long enough not to wear out its welcome, The Passing Stranger is a passing good little film noir. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
