Ronald Ward Movies
- 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)
- 1954
Horseracing provides the framework of this British drama. The story begins as a former champion jockey Sam Lilley is barred from racing. Although he himself can no longer race, the jockey decides to live his dreams through Georgie Crain, who becomes his youthful protege. Sam teaches George all he knows, and also insists that he keep his morals high. But when Georgie's mother encounters financial disaster, the lad and his mentor decide they have no choice but to throw a race for a gang of criminals. Unfortunately, this leads to even more ethical problems. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Morley, Kay Walsh, (more)
- 1954
A prim and pious old woman suddenly has her hands full when her devilishly free-spirited uncle dies and bequeaths her his five greyhounds, a ramshackle tavern and a popular cathouse in this British comedy that features a number of guest appearances by some of the country's most popular comedians. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1953
In this detective drama, an investigator from an insurance company is hired to look into the mysterious murder of a wealthy client's mistress. Meanwhile, the deceased's wife hires a gumshoe too. The trouble begins when the insurance detective begins suspecting the wife and her detective of being behind the killings. Eventually the insurance dick corners the private eye, who attempts to kill him. Instead the wife kills her own detective and ends up leading the insurance detective to the mystery's solution. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1952
In this drama, a woman with a sordid past desires to marry. Her intended is so in love that he disregards the many warnings he receives about her and goes through with the ceremony. Soon he loses every friend, and even his daughter begins to pull away. It does not help that his new wife is abusive to the girl. It is then learned that the step-mother is abusive because the girl's fiancé is one of the wicked woman's many lovers. In the end, the mother is so humiliated and ashamed that she kills herself. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1950
Denied steady work in the U.S. because of his alleged left-wing political beliefs, Edward G. Robinson was obliged to seek out film roles elsewhere in 1950. My Daughter Joy stars Robinson as self-made businessman George Constantin, whose ruthlessness knows no bounds. In fact, Constantin hopes to control the economy of the world, thereby calling the shots for everything and everybody. Outside of his business activities, the only thing he cares about is his daughter Georgette (Peggy Cummins), known to everyone as Joy. As part of a scheme to gain a valuable material necessary for a top-secret project, Constantin arranges a marriage between Joy and the son of a Middle Eastern potentate. But Joy is in love with journalist Larry Boyd (Richard Greene), who has been conducting an investigation of Constantin's questionable business practices. Constantin has every intention of squelching his beloved daughter's happiness for the sake of megalomania -- until he is devastated by the revelation of a deep, dark secret long held by his wife (Nora Swinburne). My Daughter Joy was released in the U.S. as Operation X. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nora Swinburne, Peggy Cummins, (more)
At a World War II emergency hospital, a postman dues under anesthetic during a relatively minor operation. One of the nurses who was present announces that the man's death was no accident, but a murder -- and then she, too, is murdered. The police are called in, led by Inspector Cockrill (Alastair Sim) of Scotland Yard, and he soon determines that any one of the five surviving members of the surgical team might have had a motive for the murders. In the course of his investigation, he also uncovers an array of both eccentric and ugly personal information about most of those present, but no killer that he can ascertain for certain. He must finally draw the murderer out by putting one of the suspects at risk. In the midst of the suspense are moments of droll comedy, of the sort that one would expect from a movie made by the authors of The Lady Vanishes, along with a palpably rich late wartime atmosphere which, surprisingly, did not repel war-weary audiences on either side of the Altantic. Indeed, Sim is so beguilingly witty and charismatic in his eccentric way as Inspector Cockrill, that the wonder is that there was never a follow-up movie or even a series built around his character. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alastair Sim, Leo Genn, (more)
- 1946
Of the many films (English and American) bearing the title Carnival, only one was based on the Compton MacKenzie novel of the same name. This 1946 melodrama stars Sally Gray as a 19th century ballet dancer who makes an unfortunate career move by marrying a taciturn Cornish farmer (Bernard Miles). Sally soon longs for the bright lights of the big city, and for the arms of her artist lover (Michael Wilding). Her husband is all too aware of this; and when the lover comes calling to renew the affair, the husband shoots Gray to death. The first film version of Compton MacKenzie's Carnival was filmed in 1931 as Dance Pretty Lady. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dennis Arundell, Marie Ault, (more)
- 1945
In this WWII drama, James Mason plays naval commander Richard Heritage, who is distracted from his duties by a beautiful young woman who is secretly in cahoots with Nazi spies. By accident, Heritage lets her discover the sailing dates of American warships. The mistake costs the U.S. Navy a war ship and costs Heritage his post. After his court-martial, he sets off to find the girl who tripped him up and discovers that she has been killed. With the help of Laura Verity (Joyce Howard), he uncovers the Nazi spy ring, which is being operated under the guise of a British theatrical agency in the seaside town of Blackpool. The head of the outfit is master spy Christopher Child (Tom Walls), a fearsome villain. Heritage hopes to redeem himself and win the heart of Laura by defeating Child and his schemes. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Mason, Joyce Howard, (more)
- 1943
In this espionage film, a Danish double-agent is assigned by the Nazis to sneak into to England and abscond with the secret plans for a European invasion. Unbeknownst to the Nazis, the man is really and agent for the Allies. He is pursued by an English agent who exposes him. She then takes part in a plan to trick the German navy into leaving the port with fake documents. The ruse works. Unfortunately, the double-agent dies. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eric Portman, Ann Dvorak, (more)
- 1942
This musical is loosely based upon the career of the British "Forces' Sweetheart" Vera Lynn, a popular BBC radio singer who spent much time entertaining the troops in London. It all begins when she falls in love with a Scottish soldier who breaks her heart when he jilts her in favor of her best friend. Following the break up, she decides to leave London and spend her time entertaining troops all over Europe. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1941
The pageantlike This England was designed by the Anglo-American film corporation to boost the morale of the war-besieged island nation. The story unfolds in the ancient British community of Claverly Village, which has already weathered serveral centuries of political upheavals, both foreign and domestic. A.R. Rawlinson and Bridge Boland's screenplay traces the history of the village from the Feudal Era to the Second World War, with Emlyn Williams (who also contributed additional dialogue), John Clements and Constance Cummings enacted the roles of several Claverly citizens throughout the years. Cummings is at her best in the "Spanish Armada" sequence, portraying a fetching gypsy not unlike her Latin American charmer in Harold Lloyd's Movie Crazy (1932). Perhaps because of its episodic construction, This England is one of those unfortunate films that never seems to turn up intact when shown today. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Emlyn Williams, John Clements, (more)
- 1941
In this comedy, a groom's constant jealousy creates domestic turmoil for his devoted bride. More trouble comes when he buys a lot of untried material for the lingerie factory where he works as a foreman. The material proves flimsy and he is fired. Things get worse when his overbearing and disapproving mother moves in. Fortunately, the poor bumbler's wife has a keen business sense and is able to turn her husband's failure into a wonderful success. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Formby, Edward Chapman, (more)
- 1939
In this drama, a journalist assists a young woman seeking revenge upon the newspaper baron who ruined her father. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1938
After befriending talented dancer and pickpocket Libby (Vivien Leigh), street performer Charles (Charles Saggers) strikes up a partnership with the gifted young performer and invites Libby to join his act. With Libby's graceful moves steadily drawing an audience to Charles' dramatic act, the performers soon catch the eye of theater magnate Harley (Rex Harrison), who is so mesmerized by the performance that he invites Libby and her fellow performers to a post-play party. When Libby arrives at the party alone, her career rapidly ascends, as Charles and the rest of the performers remain behind to toil amongst the famished masses. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Laughton, Vivien Leigh, (more)
- 1937
In this British comedy, the last in the "Splinter" series, an inventor designs a helicopter. He is then mistaken for his twin brother and accidentally drafted into the RAF. It is difficult and it looks as if the hapless inventor is going to have nothing but trouble until he uses his invention to save his CO's wife. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1937
In this crime drama, a scientist finds himself entangled in a criminal plot to make counterfeit pearls. He tries to escape the gang and ends up clubbed upon the head and left for dead. His body is eventually found and he has experimental brain surgery. He is completely healed, but feigns amnesia so he can catch the crooks. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1937
This British musical comedy boasts one of the most eclectic casts in film history. Brash Wallace Ford and smoothie Ben Lyon play Jackson and Hartley, a couple of fly-by-night producers hoping to slap together a movie project. They hire showgirl Carla (Lupe Velez) as their leading lady, enhancing her publicity value by passing her off as an Argentinian cattle heiress. When the deception is revealed and the movie's backers pull out, bumbling brewery heir Otto (Harry Langdon) comes to the rescue. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lupe Velez, Wallace Ford, (more)
- 1936
Winding up his Hollywood film career in 1935, venerable British stage star George Arliss returned to his homeland for his last movie assignments. In East Meets West, the 68-year-old Arliss dons turban and monocle to portray an Eastern sultan who is inordinately proud of his son. The young man bids fair to break his father's heart by conducting an affair with the wife of a notorious criminal. Arliss exercises his usual third-act prerogative of tying up all loose plot ends and providing confusion unto his enemies. East Meets West was based on an old George Arliss stage vehicle, Edwin Greenwood's The Lake of Life. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Arliss, Lucie Mannheim, (more)
- 1936
The Passing of the Third Floor Back, Jerome K. Jerome's mystical 1908 stage play, was given perfunctory treatment in this 1935 film version. Conrad Veidt assumes the old J. Forbes Robertson role as the Mysterious Stranger who moves into a cheap boarding house run by despicable landlord Wright (Frank Cellier). The other tenants are selfish, lecherous, mercenary, envious and overall not very good company. One by one, the tenants are rechanneled into more positive pursuits by the Stranger -- but being mere mortals, they soon forget the lessons learned and revert to their old ways. That the Stranger is meant to be Jesus Christ is rather obvious from the outset, but such were the censorial restrictions of the era that the character's true identity is effectively clouded. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Conrad Veidt, Renee Ray, (more)
- 1936
Based upon The Chase of the Golden Plate by Jacques Futrelle, The Man Behind the Mask was the last film Michael Powell made before The Edge of the World established him as a major director. As the film begins, loving couple Nick Barclay (Hugh Williams) and June Slade $Jane Baxter) are attending a fancy masked ball, from which they plan to elope. Nick, however, is assaulted, and his assailant takes his place at the party. Thus disguised, he steals away with both June and a famous artifact, the Shield of Kahm, that belongs to her father, Lord Slade. Nick, whose story of being assaulted is not given full credence, begins a search for June, enlisting the aid of a Dr. Walpole and his secretary along the way. They rescue June and the Shield from an inn, although they do not capture the thief. June and Nick proceed with their plans to marry; but with the burglar still loose and upset that his plans were foiled, neither they nor the Shield are safe. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
- 1934
British poet Adelaide Proctor adapted the screenplay of Broken Rosary from her own poem Legend of Provence. Italian singer Derek Oldham is in love with Jean Adrienne, Oldham's best friend Ronald Ward. Though they fight against their emotions, Adrienne and Ward fall in love. Oldham is philosophical, but he pours out his true feelings in song. Broken Rosary allows modern viewers a rare glimpse at famed British music-hall artiste Vesta Victoria. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1934
Filmed in Great Britain, Brides to Be was distributed worldwide by Paramount. Leading lady Betty Stockfield is a humble shop girl, in love with a rich millionaire who has lots of money. Betty is framed for a robbery by a gang of crooks. This proves awkward not only for Betty but for the crooks, who may have to eliminate the girl before her wealthy beau finances her defense. Basil Mason scripted Brides to Be from his own (presumably less confusing) story Sign Please. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1934
Best known today as the wife of famed caricaturist Al Hirschfield, actress Dolly Haas enjoyed a long and fruitful career in England and Europe. One of Haas' best vehicles is the gender-bending British farce Girls Will Be Boys, in which she plays the granddaughter of the Duke of Bridgewater (Cyril Maude). Because her name in the film is "Pat," our heroine is assumed to be a boy by her woman-hating grandpop, and she does nothing to dissuade him of this belief, dressing up in drag when she goes to meet him for the first time. The rest of the picture is a reverse Charley's Aunt, with Pat endeavoring to be "one of the guys" under the most trying of circumstances (yes, she even smokes a cigar at one point). For a one-joke film, Girls Will be Boys is surprisingly substantial, managing to keep the audience amused for 71 minutes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dolly Haas, Cyril Maude, (more)
- 1933
In this melodrama, a troubled singer is protected by the manager who really loves her. He has always loved her even after she marries his rotten half-brother and gets pregnant. When her philandering hubby's mistress is found dead, her devoted manage takes the rap and goes to prison. Later the husband abandons his wife and child. He is then killed during a shoot out. At that point the singer discovers the truth and decides to await the release of the manager. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
