Ewen Solon Movies
Born in New Zealand, actor Ewen Solon played character roles onscreen and in television. He is best remembered for playing the detective Maigret in a popular television series. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide- 1956
A prosaic filmization of George Orwell's cautionary novel, 1984 is set in a futuristic totalitarian society where individuality is forbidden. The ruler is the never-seen "Big Brother," whose minions have monitored and bugged the activities of the populace so that no one can harbor any "subversive" thoughts. Edmond O'Brien plays Winston Smith, a government functionary satisfied with his lot, until he commits the illegal act of falling in love with Julia (Jan Sterling), a member of the anti-sex league. The lovers try to escape the all-powerful influence of Big Brother, but their every move is recorded by listening and viewing devices. Both are captured and sent to rehabilitation centers; preying upon Winston's and Julia's innermost fears, the lieutenants of Big Brother break down their resistance and force them to betray one another. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Redgrave, Edmond O'Brien, (more)
- 1957
The always reliable Griffith Jones is afforded the leading role in the British Account Rendered. Jones plays a victim of circumstance, accused of murdering his wife Ursula Howells. With the police breathing down his neck, Jones endeavors to prove his innocence. He is aided in this effort by the lovely Honor Blackman ("Pussy Galore" in Goldfinger and the first female star of the long-running TVer The Avengers). Account Rendered is based on a novel by Pamela Barrington. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1951
Long before it concentrated on its series of Edgar Wallace mysteries, the British Merton Park studios cut its teeth on taut little home-grown melodramas. Assassin for Hire stars Sydney Tafler as Antonio Riccardi, a professional killer who has long managed to elude the law. Inspector Carson (Ronald Howard) is determined to bring Riccardi to justice, but has no evidence to work with. In a peculiar twist of fate, Riccardi is brought to heel by a crime he didn't commit. Beyond its better-than-usual production values, Assassin for Hire permits us a glimpse at Ronald Howard impersonating a detective several years before starring in the Sherlock Holmes TV series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1956
The Anglo-American Behind the Headlines is not a remake of the 1937 RKO "B" of the same name, though both share a newspaper setting. Reporter Paul Carpenter heads the investigation of a murder case. The victim was black-mailing showgirl Hazel Court, and as usual there's a plenitude of suspects. Also as usual, the journalists prove to be quicker on the uptake than the cops on the case. Behind the Headlines was based on a novel by Robert Chapman. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Answering a distress call from the farthest reaches of the Universe, the Doctor (Tom Baker) and Sarah (Elisabeth Sladen) pilot the TARDIS to the planet Zeta Minor. Here they come across a ship from planet Moestra, whose science officer, Professor Sorenson (Frederick Jaeger) defiantly insists upon transporting deadly anti-matter into the Matter Universe -- which, as will soon be learned, is an act that goes way beyond recklessness. Written by David Maloney, "Planet of Evil" marked the return appearance of the familiar TARDIS control room, which hadn't been seen since Season 11. The first of the adventure's four episodes was originally broadcast September 27, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Baker, Elisabeth Sladen, (more)
- 1975
In the second episode of the four-part story "Planet of Evil," the Doctor (Tom Baker) and Sarah (Elisabeth Sladen), acting on behalf of the Moestran army, try to prevent misguided geologist Professor Sorenson (Frederick Jaeger) from transporting deadly anti-matter into the Universe. But these efforts may be too late: a ravenous monster has already sprung up from the planet Zeta Minor, poised to attack the Moestran probe. Written by David Maloney, "Planet of Evil, Episode 2" was originally broadcast on October 4, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Baker, Elisabeth Sladen, (more)
- 1975
In the third episode of the four-part story "Planet of Evil," the Doctor (Tom Baker) and Sarah (Elisabeth Sladen) continue their efforts to prevent deadly anti-matter from the planet Zeta Minor from being unleashed in the Matter Universe. Their efforts are complicated by the duplicity of single-minded Moestran geologist Professor Sorenson (Frederick Jaeger), not to mention a voracious anti-matter monster. Ultimately, the Doctor is forced to land on Zeta Minor, which act may result in his own grisly demise. Written by David Maloney, "Planet of Evil, Episode 3" was originally broadcast on October 11, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Baker, Elisabeth Sladen, (more)
- 1975
In the conclusion of the four-part story "Planet of Evil," the efforts by Moestran geologist Professor Sorenson (Frederick Jaeger) to smuggle deadly anti-matter from the planet Zeta Minor has reaped devastating consequences. Racing against time, the Doctor (Tom Baker) must not only save the Universe (again), but also save Sorenson -- a good man withal -- from his own folly. Written by David Maloney, "Planet of Evil, Episode 4" was originally broadcast on October 18, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Baker, Elisabeth Sladen, (more)
- 1966
The TARDIS lands on a planet inhabited by an advanced civilization, which has walled itself against a race of primitive savages. Though the residents of this walled community insist that theirs is a "perfect" society, the Doctor (William Hartnell) is naturally suspicious -- and, as it turns out, he has good reason to be. Written by Stuart Black, the four-part "The Savages" began its run on May 28, 1966. At present, none of the four episodes is known to be in existence. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, Peter Purves, (more)
- 1966
In the second episode of the four-part story "The Savages," the Doctor (William Hartnell) wants to learn the secret of the "perfect" advanced civilization which has built huge walls to protect itself against a race of primitive savages. He eventually discovers that the so-called civilized inhabitants have kept themselves mentally and physically vibrant by sapping the life forces from the savages outside their gates. First telecast on June 4, 1966, "The Savages, Episode 2" was written by Stuart Black; this episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, Peter Purves, (more)
- 1966
In the third episode of the four-part story "The Savages," the Doctor (William Hartnell) has learned that the residents of a highly advanced walled city have been drawing their strength and intelligence from a tribe of primitive savages. Intending to right past wrongs, the Doctor's companions Steven (Peter Purves) and Dodo (Jackie Lane) lead the Savages in revolt against their oppressors. First telecast on June 11, 1966, "The Savages, Episode 3" was written by Stuart Black; except for a brief fragment, this episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, Peter Purves, (more)
- 1948
Assembled by the reliable team of Frank Launder and Sidney Gilliat, London Belongs to Me stars Richard Attenborough as a young, full-of-beans boy looking for fun. Bursting into a staid, wearisome London neighborhood, Attenborough exhorts the others to get some kicks out of life. Unfortunately, his search for thrills gets him involved in a murder. Just when you think that the film is a dour "slice of life" drama, a new comic element is introduced as the locals start up a petition to release Attenborough from jail. The presence of Alastair Sim in the cast should have tipped us off that London Belongs to Me wasn't meant to be taken entirely seriously. The film was released in the US as Dulcimer Street. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Attenborough, Alastair Sim, (more)
This waterlogged adaptation of an obscure Grand Guignol stage play finds a hapless couple (Dermot Walsh and Hazel Court) convinced that their newly-acquired yacht is haunted by mysterious and deadly forces. After numerous fatalities, the couple eventually hires a paranormal investigator (John Robinson), who uncovers the yacht's bloody history and determines that the craft is occupied by the vengeful ghosts of the former owner's wife and her lover, who were murdered and subsequently entombed somewhere aboard. Writer-producer-director Vernon Sewell -- who filmed most of the scenes aboard his own private yacht -- executes a few interesting paranormal twists on the Old Dark House scenario, and he would revisit the seagoing thriller theme (on the same boat) somewhat less successfully with Terror Ship two years later. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dermot Walsh, Hazel Court, (more)
- 1959
Suspenseful, interesting, and macabre, this period piece by Robert S. Baker overcomes a weakness in characterization by sheer dint of storyline and action. Jack the Ripper still remains the unidentified killer of at least three, probably five, and possibly even eight prostitutes living or working in London's East End in 1888. The murders occurred in August, September, and November of that year and were never solved. Because various internal organs of the dead victims (their throats were cut after they were strangled into unconsciousness) were removed rapidly and with an accurate surgical technique, investigators have postulated that the demented serial killer was a surgeon. In this cinematic version, the murders are shown as they happened while Inspector O'Neill (Eddie Byrne), along with an American detective Sam Lowry (Lee Patterson) try to track down suspects and prevent the next killing. The theory put forward here is that Jack the Ripper was looking for one particular woman. As the tension mounts, his suggested identity -- and what happened to him -- is revealed. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lee Patterson, Eddie Byrne, (more)
- 1956
Ribald music hall comedian Frankie Howerd stars in the British laughspinner Jumping for Joy. Set in the rarefied world of dog racing, the film stars Howerd as trackboy Willie, who is unceremoniously booted from his job. Teaming up with con artist Jack (Stanley Holloway), Willie decides to get even by raising his own greyhound racer. Unfortunately, the dog Willie and Jack purchase has one paw in the grave. As our heroes nurse the pooch back to health, they are forced to spend their spare time keeping a narcotics gang at bay. The delightful harmonica score in Jumping for Joy is provided by American expatriate Larry Adler. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stanley Holloway, A.E. Matthews, (more)
Libyan leader Moummar Quaddafi financed this desert epic about a Libyan hero who helped his nation fend off an Italian invasion in 1929. Anthony Quinn stars as Omar Mukhtar, who organizes Libyan forces to hold off the encroaching Italian troops under General Rodolfo Graziana (Oliver Reed), who are trying to gain a foothold on Libyan soil under direct orders from the Italian dictator Mussolini (Rod Steiger). With the persistence of Mukhtar, the Libyans, battling the tanks and guns of the Italian army with their Bedouin troops on horseback, managed to hold off y the Italians for twenty years, until Mukhtar was finally captured and executed. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anthony Quinn, Oliver Reed, (more)
- 1951
In this crime drama, an escaped convict is recaptured and charged with killing two people in a lonely waystation during a snowstorm. Fortunately, a novelist is around to prove him innocent. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1963
This routine wartime drama is set at sea and involves a British convoy trying to elude a group of German U-Boats. After one of the U-Boats is singled out and captured, the British admiral in charge of the current operation hits upon an ingenious but almost suicidal way of defeating the Nazi boats. He orders Lt. Commander Tarlton (Edward Judd) and a group of men to get in the captured U-Boat and then join the other U-Boats as though they had simply wandered off course for awhile. If done quickly and efficiently, Tarlton should be able to radio back the position of the enemy for a fast British offensive. Not an easy task in itself, and made much worse considering that the RAF and other British ships are going to consider the decoy U-Boat to be the enemy. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edward Judd, Laurence Payne, (more)
- 1982
- R
In this sudsy drama, a Russian dancer defects and joins a London ballet school headed by a manipulative madam who uses the school as a front for her call-girl business. All of her employees are students whom she has forced to become prostitutes for prominent politicians. Meanwhile the administrator carries on an affair with her lead male dancer. The defector is so disgusted by the whole affair that she returns to the Soviet Union. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joan Collins, Carol White, (more)
- 1953
The rousing adventure novel by Sir Walter Scott was adapted for this swashbuckler. Richard Todd stars as Robert Roy MacGregor, a clan leader in 18th century Scotland attempting to lead his fellow countrymen in a rebellion against the heavy-handed rule of England's King George I. When the king replaces a sympathetic politician with a lackey working against Rob Roy, it's up to the hardy Scotsman to defeat his enemies without the support of a powerful ally, while also romancing and marrying his true love (Glynis Johns). Rob Roy, the Highland Rogue (1953) was the last of 21 British films produced jointly by Disney and RKO. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Todd, Glynis Johns, (more)
- 1960
Gordon Scott's fifth and last appearance as Tarzan came in this 1960 installment of the long-running movie series featuring the adventures of the legendary ape man. Neither Jane nor son Boy appear in the film. Tarzan is hired to escort a hardened criminal, Coy Banton (Jock Mahoney), through the jungle so that he can be turned over to the police. Also in the party are a group of British visitors including Ames (Lionel Jeffries), whose wife Fay (Betta St. John) falls in love with the prisoner Banton. Tarzan must stop the jungle party from fighting amongst themselves. After this film, Mahoney replaced Scott as Tarzan in subsequent movies, while Scott made several Italian movies playing the role of Hercules. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gordon Scott, Betta St. John, (more)
- 1955
An 18-month-old baby disappears in London. The parents, US embassy worker David Knight and his wife Julia Arnall, are panic-stricken. Detective David Farrar tries to locate the child, but clues are scarce. At the last possible moment, Farrar rescues the infant from a grueling fate and collars the kidnappers. This nail-biting film is filled to capacity with many of Britain's top supporting players, including Thora Hird, Everley Gregg, Joan Sims, Shirley Anne Field, Joan Hickson, Dandy Nichols, Mona Washbourne, Barbara Winsor and George Woodbridge. Released in the US by Republic, under the title Tears for Simon. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Farrar, David Knight, (more)
A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square was the original title of this British caper film. David Niven does his suave 'n' blase bit as a criminal mastermind planning a giant bank heist. Richard Jordan co-stars as an American ex-con tapped to oversee the operation. Gloria Grahame, in one of her last roles, masticates the scenery as Jordan's rude-and-crude mom. The Big Scam picked up a third title when it was released to video as The Mayfair Bank Caper. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1957
The 51-minute length of Black Ice imposes a tense tautness that would not have been possible in a film of any longer duration. Paul Carpenter stars as a trawler captain making his way through treacherously icy waters. His vessel becomes trapped in the ice, far beyond human help. With no contact to the outside world, captain Carpenter must literally chop his way out of his life-threatening dilemma. Black Ice was a British program film designed for the lower berths of double-feature presentations. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
