Leslie Dwyer Movies
A performer since the age of ten (his first major film role was in 1921's The Fifth Form at St. Dominic's), British actor Leslie Dwyer matured into an agreeable character player. His plump frame and jaunty cockney dialect were familiar ingredients to many films of the '40s and '50s. Dwyer could be seen in such internationally distributed British productions as In Which We Serve (1942), The Way Ahead (1944), Vacation from Marriage (1946), Laughter in Paradise (1951), the remake of Hitchcock's The 39 Steps (1959) and Die, Monster, Die (1966). When not before the cameras, Leslie Dwyer could be found at the cricket fields, either as player or enthusiastic spectator. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1988
This film (released in 1988) constitutes a feature-length edit of a popular British sitcom of the same title, from the very early eighties. Simon Cadell is a snooty Cambridge professor who takes a job at a Holiday Camp. Cadell's responsibilities as entertainment director lead to no end of zany complications. Not surprisingly, many of the vacationers are shapely young ladies, wearing as little as possible. Veteran comic cockney actor Leslie Dwyer makes his last professional appearances as a member of the cast. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
- PG
The wife of a greedy Yankee entrepreneur comes back to haunt him after he scares her to death in this thriller. He is after her fortune and must try several times before he succeeds. Because she is mentally exhausted from being frightened all the time, she commits suicide. The dastardly husband soon begins experiencing her ghostly presence. The question is--is she really a ghost, or is she playing mind games similar to those he played on her? He tends to believe the former. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cliff Robertson, Jean Simmons, (more)
- 1973
In the conclusion of the four-part story "Carnival of Monsters," the miniaturized Doctor and Jo attempt to escape from the traveling carnival sideshow display in which they have been imprisoned. Their getaway is impeded by such nuisances as a political revolution, a swarm of carnivorous worms, a pair of crooked carnival entrepreneurs, and a team of obstreperous customs officials. Written by Robert Holmes, "Carnival of Monsters, Episode 4" first aired on February 17, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Pertwee, Katy Manning, (more)
- 1973
The four-part adventure "Carnival of Monsters" begins on a positive note, as the Doctor (Jon Pertwee), finally released from his earthly exile, takes Jo (Katy Manning) for a trip in his newly repaired TARDIS. Unfortunately, the time-traveling machine still has a few bugs in it, and instead of landing on the blue planet Meteblis 3 as the Doctor had intended, the TARDIS materializes on the "S.S. Bernice," a 1930s-vintage ocean liner. But are the Doctor and Jo really adrift on the Indian Ocean, or is everything around them merely an illusion? Written by Robert Holmes, "Carnival of Monsters, Episode 1" first aired on January 27, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Pertwee, Katy Manning, (more)
- 1973
In the third episode of the four-part story "Carnival of Monsters," the miniaturized Doctor (Jon Pertwee) and Jo (Katy Manning) are still imprisoned in the Miniscope, an intergalactic carnival sideshow device. Hoping for a quick getaway, the Doctor matches wits with Vorg (Leslie Dwyer), a crooked carnival entrepreneur from the planet Lurman. Meanwhile, a revolution breaks out on the planet where the Miniscope has been put on display by Vorg and his equally disreputable assistant, Shirna (Cheryl Hall). Written by Robert Holmes, "Carnival of Monsters, Episode 3" first aired on February 10, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Pertwee, Katy Manning, (more)
- 1973
In the second episode of the four-part story "Carnival of Monsters," the Doctor (Jon Pertwee) and Jo (Katy Manning) have apparently materialized on an ocean liner in the year 1935. But the time-travelers soon discover that the ship is actually a tiny scale model and that they have been miniaturized and trapped inside a carnival sideshow device called the Miniscope. Written by Robert Holmes, "Carnival of Monsters, Episode 2" first aired on February 3, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Pertwee, Katy Manning, (more)
- 1971
During the 1970s, British TV fans were treated to two different sitcoms bearing the title You're Only Young Twice, both of which used a retirement home as a comedy backdrop. The first of these series was set at the Twilight Lodge Home, where in typical TV fashion the elderly occupants ruled the roost whether the authorities liked it or not. Of interest to Stanley Kubrick fans was the presence in the cast of Adrienne Corri, who played the rape victim in 1970's Clockwork Orange, but was here cast as the imperious Lottie Orchard, head matron at Twilight Lodge. This version of You're Only Young Twice was created by Jack Trevor Story; its six half-hour episodes were telecast in the U.K. from July 5 to August 9, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Adrienne Corri, Liam Redmond, (more)
- 1969
- PG
Herbie Hassler (Telly Savalas) and Marty Miller (Warren Oates) are American gangsters who plan to rob an opulent aristocratic home of valuable art treasures. Under the orders of crime boss Nick Marco (Cesar Romero), the duo charms Lady Fitzmore (Edith Evans), a wealthy dowager and proprietress of a monied estate. The plan is to work in collaboration with a British gang lead by Finley (Harry H. Corbett). When the time comes to initiate the big heist, the sentimental American crooks can't bring themselves to rob their eccentric but lovable hostess. They confess the plan and work with Lady Fitzmore and Lord Fitzmore (Nicky Henson) in an effort to catch their British burglar counterparts in this delightful crime comedy. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Telly Savalas, Edith Evans, (more)
- 1965
In this comedy, an irresponsible pop singer avoids rehearsing for his gig for a summer show by the sea in favor of playing with his dogs. He then purchases a racehorse and goes off to watch it race. The show's opening night totally slips his mind until the very last minute. He gets back in the nick of time. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Billy Fury, Amanda Barrie, (more)
- 1965
Also known as Monster of Terror, this British-made horror opus is very loosely based on H.P. Lovecraft's story "The Colour Out of Space". The story begins with an American scientist (Nick Adams) paying a visit to the remote estate of his fiancee's family (located in Lovecraft's fictional Arkham County, Massachusetts) and finding many of the surrounding flora and fauna horribly mutated by strange radiation. The source of the contamination is discovered to be a glowing meteorite kept hidden in the basement by his girlfriend's father (Boris Karloff), who has been using the radiation to mutate local plant life. As one might expect, the experiment has gotten a bit out of hand... and poor mommy has changed into something unspeakably horrible. Designed as a vehicle for Karloff (who is excellent), this is a decent freshman effort from director Daniel Haller (formerly Roger Corman's production designer), but the effectively creepy atmosphere would have been greatly assisted by a better script -- perhaps one more loyal to the source material. The same story was adapted (again, loosely) in 1987 for The Curse. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Boris Karloff, Nick Adams, (more)
- 1964
Children all over the city have eaten what they believed was candy. It is then discovered that it is actually a slow-acting, deadly poison. This drama centers on the efforts of the police to find these children before it is too late. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1959
This rollicking political satire stars Ian Carmichael as an impressionable British TV personality. His vanity is stroked by a group of political managers who talk him into running on the Conservative ticket during a political campaign. The managers hope that Carmichael's name value will draw voters, but don't intend to permit him anything like actual legislative power. Carmichael suddenly develops an abiding interest in politics when he meets his Labour Party opponent--lovely Patricia Breden. Left, Right and Center is blessed with an abundance of supporting character comedians, headed by Alistair Sim as Carmichael's avaricious uncle. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patricia Bredin, Eric Barker, (more)
- 1959
This remake of the Alfred Hitchcock thriller does not have his flair for suspense, but director Ralph Thomas keeps the action moving, offers some comic highlights, and the story itself carries the 90-minute running time. Richard Hannay (Kenneth More) is at a vaudeville show when a shot rings out and some commotion forces him to protect a young woman by bringing her home. His protection fails after she is stabbed by an assailant who escapes. She dies -- but not before she tells Richard there is a secret organization run by a man in Scotland, trying to smuggle some important plans out of the country. He must stop them, and as soon as she mentions 39 steps, she expires. Richard has only two days to find the head of the organization, get the plans, and foil this espionage attempt. Along the way to Scotland he is literally hooked up with an attractive schoolmarm after they are handcuffed together, and his misadventures continue with her in tow. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kenneth More, Taina Elg, (more)
- 1958
For pretty Jean Francis (Lisa Gastoni), the nightmare begins when she inadvertently witnesses a robbery-murder. Rapson (Griffith Jones), leader of the criminal gang responsible, puts pressure on Jean to keep her from testifying. Fortunately, Jean finds a champion in the form of reporter Bob Meredith (Vincent Ball), who's been after the gang for months. In the end, the villains' worst enemies turn out not to be Jean or Bob, but themselves. Released in Great Britain as 3DFace in the Night3D, this British crime quickie reads rather better than it plays. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Griffith Jones, Lisa Gastoni, (more)
- 1957
In this WW II espionage drama, a secret agent must simultaneously capture a notorious spy out to steal highly classified information, and deal with his meddlesome girl friend who inadvertently botches his mission. After that fiasco, many years pass and the girl friend is a fashion reporter at a new show. There, the spy is masquerading as a waiter. The two old flames meet and rekindle their affair. This time, the woman is a real asset in capturing the enemy spy. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1956
In this thriller a woman witnesses a robbery, runs away from the scene and is rundown by a bus. The two thieves, realizing that she could get them arrested, sneak into the hospital where they plan to kill her. Their repeated attempts all end in failure. At the end, one of the thieves, feeling guilty about killing her, murders the other thief and saves the woman's life. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donald Sinden, Muriel Pavlow, (more)
- 1956
In this comedy, a remake of the 1936 comedy, two sanitation workers get an unexpected bonus when they encounter a rare book that was accidentally tossed away. Soon they find themselves pursued by thieves, as this book is unique in the world. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1956
After a brief fling at Hollywood stardom, John Ireland set up camp in England and Europe. It was in England that Ireland was top-billed in Black Tide, aka Stormy Crossing. The bulk of the film's storyline is carried by villain Derek Bond. After murdering his lover, cross-channel swimmer Joy Webster, Bond attempts to do same to her other boyfriend, Sheldon Lawrence. Ireland plays an Interpol detective who stems Bond's homicidal hijinks. Black Tide was produced by Monty Berman in his pre-Saint days. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Ireland, Derek Bond, (more)
- 1955
In this corny British comedy, a Cockney family inherits a rundown Devon farm. Not everyone is pleased by the prospect of leaving the city, but the father insists and off they go. With the help of a savvy housekeeper, the family puts the ramshackle farm in order. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1955
In this comedy, a widow tries living with each of her three sons. She becomes quite upset when her favorite son heads for America. In the end, the young men rally together and buy her a cottage of her own in the village. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1954
The Good Die Young is a psychological crime yarn, exploring the motivations of four participants in an armed robbery. American ex-GI Joe (Richard Basehart) hopes to use his share of the haul to bring his British wife to the US. Professional boxer Mike (Stanley Baker) finds himself unable to work in his chosen profession when his hand is broken, while his life savings are stolen by his disreputable brother-in-law. American airman Eddie (John Ireland) has deserted upon discovering that his wife (Gloria Grahame) is unfaithful. And shabby aristocrat Rave (Laurence Harvey) needs to pay off his wife's gambling debts. In other words, all four amateur criminals would have been better off staying single, which may or may not be the subliminal message of The Good Die Young. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Laurence Harvey, Gloria Grahame, (more)
- 1954
The British The Black Rider was inevitably listed as a "mystery" or "drama" in TV Guide back in the 1950s and 1960s. Don't you believe it! The star is former juvenile actor Jimmy Hanley, who plays a young, bright-eyed (but not necessarily bright) reporter. Hanley investigates reports that a ghostly "black rider" is haunting a local castle. In truth, the castle is being used as a hideout by smugglers. Hanley enlists the aid of a local motorcycle gang to round up the crooks. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1953
Act of Love was based on The Girl on the Via Flamina, a novel by Alfred Hayes. Kirk Douglas plays an American soldier, participating in the 1944 liberation of France. Making the acquaintance of impoverished Parisian girl Dany Robin, Douglas takes pity on the girl, pretending to be married to her so that she won't be unfairly arrested as a prostitute. When Douglas attempts to make their union legal, he is denied permission by his superior officers. So far as they are concerned, Robin is just another little opportunist, marrying a GI in order to gain US citizenship. But Robin is genuinely in love with Douglas-and proves it, in a profoundly tragic manner. Producer/director Anatole Litvak and screenwriter Irwin Shaw do their best to bring some cinematic excitement to the somber goings-on. Act of Love represents the first appearance in an English-speaking film by Brigitte Bardot, here playing the minor role of "Mimi". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kirk Douglas, Dany Robin, (more)
