W.Victor Hanbury Movies
British director and producer W. Victor Hanbury, entered the film industry in 1919 following Naval service during WW I. Hanbury made his feature-film directorial bow in the early 1930s. A decade later, he became a full-time producer. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1954
The direction of The Sleeping Tiger was credited to Victor Hanbury, but this was actually a pseudonym for the blacklisted Joseph Losey, whose first British film this was. Alexander Knox stars as psychiatrist Clive Esmond, who believes that he can stem the criminal tendencies of young fugitive from justice Frank Clements (Dirk Bogarde). To this end, Esmond hides Clements in his own home. At first hostile towards the handsome crook, Esmond's wife Glenda (Alexis Smith) gradually warms up to her house guest, and before long she and Clements are casting lustful glances at one another. She intends to run off with Clements and make a new life for herself, when suddenly he decides that he actually wants to reform. If nothing else, The Sleeping Tiger is a fascinating precursor to the sexual tensions prevalent in Losey's later Harold Pinter adaptations. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dirk Bogarde, Alexander Knox, (more)
- 1953
In this drama, an ex-con, who served time for a crime he did not commit, attempts to return to his home village and lead a peaceful, hard working life. Unfortunately, a murder victim is found in town and the ex-con is naturally blamed. Fortunately, he is able to clear his name by solving the murders. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1953
In this domestic drama, a lonely widower decides that it is finally time to remarry. Although his family is opposed to it, he gives up his military career and marries. The bride has a rough go of things as they children fight her at every turn. She eventually wins their love and respect after she arranges marriages for his equally lonely daughters. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1953
In this suspenser, set upon the campus of a women's college, a strangler has come to call. Death ensues. The music instructor suspects that the killer is a member of the college. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1953
In this suspenseful mystery, a woman is imprisoned for murdering her husband. All that knew him are sympathetic to the woman. When her cousin learns of her incarceration, he abruptly ends his vacation to begin investigating the death. He is assisted by the woman's stepdaughter; together they reveal that the husband had been an extortionist and that there are a myriad of suspects. But the real killer is much closer at hand. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1953
When Lippert Pictures first released the British River Beat in 1954, the ad campaign made a big deal over the fact that its star, Phyllis Kirk, had previously appeared as Vincent Price's potential victim in House of Wax. This time around, Phyllis is a damsel in distress once more. The actress plays a radio operator working on an American freighter, which tools along the Thames throughout the picture. Unbeknownst to Phyllis, she is the unwitting dupe of a diamond-smuggling racket. Police inspector John Bentley intends to arrest the girl, but he falls in love with her instead. Bentley figures that by allowing Phyllis to continue as a patsy for the criminals, she'll eventually lead him to Mister Big--and, of course, he's right. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Phyllis Kirk, John Bentley, (more)
Daughter of Darkness was based on They Walk Alone, a play by Max Catto. The heroine of the play can be described as a "homicidal nymphomaniac," which understandably posed censorship problems when the Catto original was adapted to the screen. In her second film, Irish stage star Siobhan McKenna plays Emma Baudine, a "black widow" who lures men with her sexual charms and then murders them. Because she is the trusted assistant of village priest Father Corcoran (Liam Redmond), no one suspects what Emma is up to -- no one, that is, except the inquisitive Bess Stanforth (Anne Crawford), who emerges as the heroine of the piece. Also appearing in her first movie role is Honor Blackman, long before her international TV fame vis-a-vis The Avengers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anne Crawford, Maxwell Reed, (more)
- 1946
American first lady Eleanor Roosevelt's impending visit to a tiny English country village is the motivation of the Anglo-American coproduction Great Day. As the villagers prepare for their prestigious guest, all sorts of internal squabbles and personal foibles rise to the surface. The story concentrates on embittered WW1 veteran Captain Ellis (Eric Portman), whose insecessant drinking and sponging is a source of embarrassment for his long-suffering family. The Captain's daughter Margaret (Sheila Sim) is on the verge of entering into a wealthy but loveless marriage so that she can rescue her mother (Flora Robson) from her father's excesses. In the Lesley Storm stage play on which this film was based, Captain Ellis comes to a bad but not entirely undeserved end; the film allows him a last-minute reprieve, as well as a chance to change his ways before Mrs. R. shows up. A moderate hit in England, Great Day sank like a stone when released in the US by RKO Radio. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eric Portman, Flora Robson, (more)
- 1944
Based on the Eric Ambler novel entitled "Epitaph for a Spy," this is the story of a medical student on the Riviera during the Summer before WWII begins. A refugee from Austria, he has been photographing wildlife. When the film he develops contains secret installations, he must prove that he is not a German spy or be deported. With the police and help from a romantic interest that pops up along the way, he has to try to flush out the real spy to clear himself. Critical reviews were mixed, though Mason did an admirable job on his character. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Mason, Lucie Mannheim, (more)
- 1943
This WW II espionage drama chronicles the efforts of Nazi spies who go undercover to Britain. One of them is disguised as a member of the RAF and tries to bomb a Belgian burg so as to make it appear as if the Allies are blowing up civilians. Fortunately, underground Allied agents capture him and try to send him to England. Now the wicked German agent finds himself pursued by both the Allies and his own Nazis. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eric Portman, Ann Dvorak, (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)
- 1943
Moving slightly up the poverty-row ladder from PRC to Monogram, Burlesque queen Ann Corio starred in the musical comedy Sarong Girls. Corio is cast as stripteaser Dixie Barlow, who manages to avoid a prison sentence when her attorney Gil Gailord (Damian O'Flynn) claims that she's the sole support of her gray-haired old mother. Problem is, Dixie's mother is long gone, forcing Gil to find a substitute -- which he does in the person of retirement-home resident Mattie (Mary Gordon). Meanwhile, Dixie plans vengeance on Jefferson Baxter (Henry Kolker) the self-styled reformer responsible for her arrest. With the help of the no-nonsense Mattie, Dixie eventually cools down and finds true love with Baxter's son Jeff (Bill Henry). Genuinely funny comedy relief is provided by Monogram regulars Tim & Irene Ryan and Mantan Moreland. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ann Corio, Irene Ryan, (more)
- 1941
Released in England as Gentleman of Venture, It Happened to One Man was produced in England with "frozen funds" accumulated in that country by RKO Radio Pictures. Inspired by a true story, the film stars Wilfred Lawson as financier Felton Quair. Thanks to the chicanery of his crooked business partner Ackroyl (Reginald Tate), Quair loses his fortune, his family and his freedom. The second half of the story deals with Quair's attempts to find redemption after a four-year prison term. Based on a stage play by Roland Pertwee and John Hastings Turner, the film wisely retains the play's ambiguous ending. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Wilfred Lawson, Nora Swinburne, (more)
- 1940
In this British thriller, a chemist finds himself framed for a murder. He leaves his lover and escapes to South Africa. There he quickly becomes renowned for his good work with the medical profession. Unfortunately, a terrible explosion in a lab disfigures him so badly that he believes himself unidentifiable. He now feels that it is safe to return to London. He does and learns that his lover has married. More trouble ensues when, despite his scar, he is recognized. Fortunately, the whole mess is straightened out by the film's end. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Griffith Jones, Rosalyn Boulter, (more)
- 1936
Hollywood's Conrad Nagel heads cast of the British Ball at Savoy. The tux-garbed Nagel plays a baron who, while vacationing in Cannes, falls in love with opera star Marta Labarr. The prideful Labarr will have nothing to do with Nagel because of his wealth, so he poses as a waiter. When he's accused of being a thief, Nagel learns that there's two sets of justice, one for the rich, another for the poor. This 1936 remake of an earlier German film, was based on a novel by Alfred Grunwald and Fritz Lohner-Beda. Distribution of Ball at Savoy was handled in Britain and the US by RKO Radio Pictures. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Conrad Nagel, Marta Labarr, (more)
- 1936
American actor Noah Beery Sr. heads the cast of the British meller The Avenging Hand. Beery is one of several persons skulking about a mysterious inn. The plot is motivated by a reserve of stolen money, hidden somewhere on the premises. One by one, the bad guys (and bad girls) are decimated by an unseen assassin. Featured in the cast of The Avenging Hand is Ben Welden, an American character player who spent several years in England before settling into comedy gangster roles in Hollywood. Also featured is Reginald Long, who cowrote the screenplay. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1936
In this espionage romance, a French spy falls in love with a German operative who has been sent to learn how the French were able steal a German invention. Though she is assigned to kill the Frenchman, she instead falls in love and they decide to leave. Unfortunately, the woman knows that the car has been booby trapped and will fire a bullet into the driver when it reaches a certain speed. She saves her lover and dies in his arms. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marta Labarr, Charles Oliver, (more)
- 1936
The British Beloved Imposter was inspired by Ethel Mannin's novel Dancing Boy. Fred Conynghamplays a cheeky waiter who dreams of being a music hall star. Beautiful Germaine Aussey spurns the swelled-headed Conyngham's advances. When she disappears, he becomes obsessed with the belief that he's murdered her. But faithful Rene Ray, the "right" girl for Conyngham, solves the mystery. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1935
In this comedy, an artists paints his clothed model as if she had been dressed in very revealing garb. Later his servant sells the work to the manager of a soap company who wants to use it for advertising. The campaign is a great success and all are pleased--except the company president who sees one of the billboards and realizes that the almost naked model is none other than his daughter! ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1935
The Crouching Beast was based on Clubfoot, an espionage novel by Valentine Williams. Set in 1915 Constantinople, the story is motivated by the sinister activities of Turkish secret agent Ahmed Bey (Fritz Kortner), better known as Clubfoot. Wynne Gibson stars as American newspaperwoman Gail Dunbar, who becomes inadvertently involved in Clubfoot's skullduggery, and at one point is subjected to a torturous interrogation by the villain. She escapes in time to aid a British agent in stealing plans of the Dardanelles fortifications. Originally released at 79 minutes, The Crouching Beast was shown of a reel's worth of footage before its American release through RKO Radio. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Wynne Gibson, Fritz Kortner, (more)
- 1935
Admirals All was based on the British stage farce by Ian Hay and Stephen-King-Hall. Wynne Gibson takes over from the stage version's Laura La Plante as temperamental American movie star Gloria Gunn. While on board a battleship for publicity purposes, Gloria is kidnapped by a band of comic-opera Chinese pirates. Even though no one is particularly anxious to get the girl back, gormless petty officer Dingle (Gordon Harker) scurries off to her rescue (Dingle was but a minor character in the play, but Harker was a major box-office draw). George Curzon, best remembered as the eye-twitching murderer in Hitchcock's Young and Innocent, scores a comic bull's-eye as the oafish pirate captain. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Wynne Gibson, Gordon Harker, (more)
- 1934
Back before there was "no-fault divorce" couples wanting to split up had to provide hard evidence of spousal wrong-doing before a judge. This comedy centers on the attempts of one such couple to prove that the other is a schnook so they can be rid of each other. Separately, they hire detectives from the same agency to follow the other around. Comical mishaps ensue when the investigators (who have never met) end up falling in love while doing their job on the French Riviera. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gertrude Lawrence, Laurence Olivier, (more)
- 1934
Two directors were responsible for this satisfying adaptation of the Charlie Roellinghoff-Hans Jacoby novel There Goes Susie. The title character, played by Wendy Barrie, is the daughter of a wealthy soap manufacturer. Tired of her butterfly existence, she goes out into the world to make her own living, landing a job as a model. When aspiring artist Gene Gerald's rendition of the scantily-clad heroine is sold to the soap tycoon for advertising purposes -- well, it's hardly a surprising denouement, but it is a lot of fun. Bolstering the worldwide appeal of There Goes Susie is the presence of Broadway's Zelma O'Neal and Hollywood's ZaSu Pitts in the supporting cast. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gene Gerrard, Zelma O'Neal, (more)
- 1933
The exploits of 18th-century British highwayman Dick Turpin have been immortalized in scores of poems, ballads, novels, plays and films. This particular version was adapted from Rockwood, a novel by Harrison Ainsworth. Victor McLaglen stars as Turpin, and while he might be a bit thick of beam for the role, there's no denying that he delivers the goods in terms of action and virility. Naturally, the film's highlight is Dick Turpin's legendary ride to York, which is filmed with reasonable excitement and accuracy (save for a few quick glimpses of contemporary telephone poles). Featured in the cast of Dick Turpin is Scotch comedian James Finlayson, the perennial foil of Laurel and Hardy, who appeared in several British productions between 1933 and 1935. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Victor McLaglen, Jane Carr, (more)
