Eddie Byrne Movies
A mainstay of Dublin's Abbey Theatre, Irish actor Eddie Byrne made his film bow in Odd Man Out (1946), a drama which took place during the Irish rebellion. Good-looking enough for leading roles, Byrne managed to star in Time Gentlemen Please (1952) and one or two other British films of the 1950s, but for the most part was utilized in supporting parts. He was particularly busy in the years 1954 through 1958, a time in which, as historian David Quinlan put it, Byrne "seemed to be turning up in every third British film." American moviegoers could see Byrne in such internationally released pictures as Abandon Ship (1957), The Mummy (1959) and Mutiny on the Bounty (1962). Eddie Byrne returned to live and work in Ireland in the mid 1960s, though he'd occasionally surface in British-filmed productions like Star Wars (1977), in which he played General Willard. The actor should not be confused with American TV star Ed "Kookie" Byrnes - if indeed such confusion is possible. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
While on a dig in Egypt, British archaeologist John Banning (Peter Cushing) desecrates the tomb of Princess Ananka, awakening her mummified lover (Christopher Lee). With revenge on his mind, the mummy follows Banning and the rest of his group back to England, but becomes quite taken with Banning's wife (Yvonne Furneaux), who resembles the princess quite closely. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Cushing, Christopher 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)
- 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)
- 1958
Rooney (John Gregson) is a handsome but unambitious Irish sanitation worker. Rooney's landladies would love to see him married to one of their daughters, or nieces, or whatever, but Rooney ain't buyin'. Barry Fitzgerald plays Rooney's elderly bedridden neighbor, whom the young man befriends, turns to for advice, and tries to shield from the old man's bickering relatives. Stronger on characterization than plot, Rooney was based on a popular novel by Catherine Cookson. The film is at its best when the camera roams around the misty streets of Dublin, and at its worst when it pauses for sentiment. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Gregson, Muriel Pavlow, (more)
- 1958
One of the most significant moments in the history of British warfare (in both the best and worst sense) is given reverent but reserved treatment in Dunkirk. The film takes place during the 1940 evacuation of Allied troops across the English channel. One party of British soldiers becomes detached from the rest of the retreating Allies. John Mills plays an inexperienced lance corporal who resists an increase in rank, but when the chips are down performs with courage and authority in organizing the lost troop and shepherding them to Dunkirk. Running 135 minutes in its original release (much of the footage comprised of newsreel shots), Dunkirk was based on two novels: Eleston Trever's The Big Pick-Up and Lt. Col. Ewan Hunter and Maj. J. S. Bradford's Dunkirk. The above time pertains to the original British theatrical version; the film was reedited and shortened to 113 minutes for U.S. release. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Mills, Bernard Lee, (more)
- 1958
Wonderful Things was one of two Frankie Vaughan vehicles produced in the late 1950s by actress Anna Neagle. The popular British recording artist is cast as a Gilbraltar fisherman named Carmello, who vies with his brother Mario (Jeremy Spenser) over the attentions of the beauteous Pepita (Jackie Lane). While on holiday in London, Carmello falls in love with society girl Anne (Jean Dawnay), leaving the field clear for Mario back home. Since this is essentially a romantic drama, Frankie Vaughan limits himself to a single ballad, but it's a good one. Wilfred Hyde-White offers the film's best performance as the debutante's dry-witted papa. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frankie Vaughan, Jackie Lane, (more)
- 1957
This British drama chronicles the exploits of a brutal Liverpudlian gang leader/would-be rock star who finds himself inducted into the army. The troubled youth undergoes basic training and emerges a man. Later his best friend from boot camp is killed by the camp bully. Courageously, he stands up to the bully and wounds him. Fearing retribution, he flees the barracks. Time passes and he eventually rights the wrong, matures, and marries his singing partner. Songs include: "Isn't It a Lovely Evening?" "These Dangerous Years," and "Cold, Cold Shower." ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Baker, Thora Hird, (more)
- 1957
Inspired in part by David Lean'sThe Sound Barrier, Decision Against Time stars Jack Hawkins as a bold but cautious test pilot. If he wants to keep his job, Hawkins must prove the efficacy of an accident-prone airplane prototype. The pilot is plagued with Earthbound problems as well, personified by his insensitive wife (Elizabeth Sellars). In the climax, Hawkins tests his endurance (and the audience's) by refusing to bail out when the prototype bursts into flame. The original British title for Decision Against Time was Man in the Sky. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Hawkins, Elizabeth Sellars, (more)
- 1957
Paradise Lagoon is the American release title of the British The Admirable Crichton. In this Technicolor adaptation of James M. Barrie's oft-filmed stage play, Kenneth More stars as Crichton, the super-efficient butler for a family of haughty British aristocrats. Though More is true master of the household, he keeps his place, honoring the tightly regulated social structure of turn-of-the-century England. When the family, and its servants, are shipwrecked and marooned on a desert island, only Crichton has the skill and resourcefulness to keep everyone alive. Within a few months, the social order has been reversed: Crichton is the "governor", while his former employers are his willing and eager servants. Lady Mary (Sally Ann Howes), assuming that she will never be able to return to her veddy proper fiance, falls in love with Crichton. But once the castaways are rescued and returned to their London estate, the original master-servant status quo is restored. His marriage to Lady Mary now an impossibility-a fact stressed in no uncertain terms by the young lady herself-Crichton calmly packs his bags and leaves, in the company of maidservant Tweeny (Diane Cilento), who has loved him all along. Barries' satirical jabs at class consciousness (notably in the closing "interrogation scene", conducted by the imperious Lady Brocklehurst Martita Hunt) were not altogether relevant in 1957; thus, Paradise Lagoon concentrates on the property's farcical and romantic elements. Taking advantage of its tropical setting, the film also permitted the tired businessmen in the audience to gaze upon the luscious Sally Ann Howes and Diane Cilento in halter tops and short-shorts. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kenneth More, Diane Cilento, (more)
- 1957
In this supenseful and provocative high-seas drama, the captain of a luxury liner is suddenly faced with life or death decisions when his ship sinks, leaving himself and a few survivors floating at sea in an overcrowded lifeboat that does not contain enough food, water and medical supplies to support them all. The captain, Alec Holmes (Tyrone Power) is a decent fellow, and initially intends to save everyone. But it soon becomes clear to one of the ship's men, Frank Kelly (Lloyd Nolan) that this is impossible. As Kelly sacrifices himself by leaping overboard and into the sea, he shouts out a warning to Holmes that it will be necessary to rid the boat of its ill passengers if the rest are to survive, as not enough food and water exists to provide for everyone. Defying the requests of his sweetheart, Nurse Julie White (director Mai Zetterling), and his buddy and fellow officer, Will McKinley (Stephen Boyd), Holmes disposes of the sick individuals on board. He initially gains the support of the rest of the passengers, but when a rescue ship finally turns up, their support turns to contempt and hostility. In Great Britain the story is titled Seven Waves Away. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tyrone Power, Mai Zetterling, (more)
- 1956
The Extra Day is a portmanteau film in the tradition of the earlier Derby Day. The ball gets rolling when Joe Blake (Richard Basehart), the assistant to film director Kurt Vorn (Laurence Naismith), routinely summons a group of movie extras for a few necessary retakes. The audience then learns the "backstories" of the various extras. Starving artist Steven Marlow (George Baker), who has been doing crowd work to pay the bills, is the object of movie star Michele Blanchard's (Simone Simon) affections, even though he doesn't know it. Prizefighter Barney West (Sidney James) worries that he'll lose his extra job if his face is messed up in the ring. Socialite Toni Howard (Josephine Griffin) works in films to get away from the social whirl; her callback to Vorn's set nearly scotches her impending marriage to a famous singing star. And so it goes until the extras are assembled and Vorn yells "action." Future pop star Shani Wallis makes her screen debut in The Extra Day in a minor role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Basehart, Simone Simon, (more)
- 1956
In this crime drama, a policeman sacrifices his career keep his daughter from being implicated in a bank job. Her actions caused his carefully constructed case against a crime boss to crumble. Still, even as a civilian, he continues to chase after the crook. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1956
One of the many inspirational true stories told about WWII, this is the story of Douglas Bader, an undauntable character who was involved in an accident which cost him both of his legs. Despite this, he became a WWII squadron commander and was a hero during the Battle of Britain. Shot down over France and held prisoner by the Germans, he still survived and returned to England leading 3,000 planes over London in a victory flight. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kenneth More, Muriel Pavlow, (more)
- 1956
It's Great to Be Young stars John Mills as Dingle an easygoing high school teacher. When autocratic new headmaster Frome (Cecil Parker) begins imposing all sorts of repressive rules, Dingle does his best to stand up for his students, only to be dismissed for his troubles. The kids conspire to not only reinstate their favorite teacher, but to circumvent Frome's refusal to purchase new instruments for an upcoming music festival. Among the fresh new faces in the supporting cast is young Carole Shelley, who later played one of the "coo-coo Pigeon sisters" in The Odd Couple (1968). It's Great to be Young was one of a package of Associated Pathe productions to be given fitful distribution in the US by Allied Artists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Mills, Cecil Parker, (more)
- 1956
In this desert adventure, a bandit chieftain roams the northwest deserts of India. Wherever he goes, he leaves a trail of ruin and raped women. A British major is assigned to capture the bandit and his gang. He succeeds, but soon the bandit, with the assistance of a sadistic nomad, escapes. The raiders then head for a British garrison where more bloodshed ensues as they begin slaughtering the hapless soldiers. The nomad captures the colonel and begins torturing him. The bandit, who has grown to respect his British adversary, sacrifices his own life to stop him. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Victor Mature, Michael Wilding, Sr., (more)
- 1955
In this light-hearted crime drama, a rivalrous pair of reporters team up to solve the murder of a prominent artist's wife. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
In this sentimental comedy, Carol Reed tries for a bit of neo-realist whimsy that takes place in the London slums of Petticoat Lane. The film centers upon Joe (Jonathan Ashmore), a six-year-old London East-ender who believes strongly in the magical power of unicorns. Joe and his lonely mother Joanna (Celia Johnson) live with wily, philosophical tailor Kandinsky (David Kossoff), who convinces Joe that if he could only come upon the legendary unicorn, he could grant all the wishes of his poor neighbors. Taking Kandinsky at his word, Joe searches the slums for a unicorn. Then one morning, he finds one. Only thing is, it is not a unicorn but a baby goat with a growth sticking out of his forehead. Nevertheless, Joe is convinced that the goat is a unicorn. He gives an elderly homeless man all of his savings for the kid and triumphantly takes it home. Hoping to use the kid to grant all his friends' wishes, he hopes to grant the wishes of Kandinsky, who wants a steam-pressing table, and Sonia (Diana Dors), an attractive blonde who wants to marry Sam (Joe Robinson), a handsome wrestler. And finally, he wishes for his father to return home to his lonely mother. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Celia Johnson, Diana Dors, (more)
- 1955
The British omnibus thriller, Three Cases of Murder includes two supernatural tales and a straight whodunit. The first segment, "The Picture," was directed by Wendy Toye, based on a short story by Roderick Wilkinson. A museum tour guide, Jarvis (Hugh Pryse), is plagued by artworks going missing, and by the mysterious repeated breaking of the protective glass over a gloomy landscape painting. Jarvis is fascinated by the dark, foreboding house in the painting. One day while he's admiring it, he bumps into a stranger (Alan Badel, who appears in all three segments). Jarvis ends up following the stranger into the world of the painting with terrifying consequences. Eddie Byrne (General Willard in Star Wars) plays the demented taxidermist, Snyder. In the second segment, "You Killed Elizabeth," written by Sidney Carroll (who co-wrote The Hustler), and directed by David Eady, lifelong friends fall in love with the same woman. George (Emrys Jones) has always stood in Edgar's (John Gregson) shadow. The two have a falling out when they realize they both love Elizabeth (Elizabeth Sellars), and when she later turns up dead, it affects the friendship in a surprising way. Badel plays the friendly bartender, Harry. The final story, "Lord Mountdrago," was based on a story by W. Somerset Maugham. Directed by George More O'Ferrall, the segment stars Orson Welles as Lord Mountdrago, the officious secretary of state for foreign affairs. Mountdrago uses his oratory powers to destroy the career of a charismatic political opponent, Owen (Badel again). Mountdrago then finds himself tormented by the vengeful Owen, who seems to have found a way to enter his dreams. Andre Morrell (Bridge on the River Kwai) plays Mountdrago's baffled psychiatrist. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alan Badel, Hugh Pryse, (more)
- 1954
Ginger Rogers and her then-husband Jacques Bergerac costar in this British melodrama, released in the U.K. as The Beautiful Stranger. Impoverished showgirl "Johnny" Victor (Ginger Rogers) moves into the villa owned by her British millionaire sweetheart Louis Galt (Stanley Baker), who has promised to marry her once he secures a divorce from his present wife (yeah, sure). By and by, Johnny falls in love with equally impoverished French artist Pierre Clement (Jacques Bergerac). When Galt is killed, Johnny and Pierre find themselves the chief suspects, especially since all evidence points to them and them alone. Taking it on the lam, the two lovers are carefully monitored by the actual murderer, who was involved in a myriad of illegal activities with the late Mr. Galt. The film's title song, "Love From a Beautiful Stranger," was written by José Ferrer and Ketti Frings, respectively the star and screenwriter of the 1955 film The Shrike. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ginger Rogers, Stanley Baker, (more)
- 1954
Based on a true story, The Divided Heart is an effective, high-gloss British soap opera. Cornell Borchers stars as Inga, a young German woman who disappears and is presumed killed during WW2. Inga's infant son is placed in an orphanage; years later, the boy is adopted by childless couple Sonja (Yvonne Mitchell) and Franz (Armin Dahmen). The adoptive parents' future happiness is shattered when Inga returns, insisting that the child be returned to her. The film is scrupulously fair to both Inga and Sonja, giving generous screen time to the wartime horrors experienced by the former and the eminent parental suitability of the latter. Of the supporting cast, Alexander Knox stands out as the judge presiding over the climactic custody battle. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cornell Borchers, Yvonne Mitchell, (more)
- 1954
David Niven plays the new squire in a small Irish community. As snooty and restrictive as the old squire was warmhearted and generous, Niven quickly earns the animosity of the locals. Eventually they draw lots for the privilege of bumping Niven off. Before the cad is humanized by the love of Yvonne DeCarlo, the villagers contrive to scare him off the premises by faking a local ghost--which rouses the fury of the town's genuine wraith. Tonight's the Night was originally released in Great Britain as Happy Ever After. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Niven, A.E. Matthews, (more)
- 1954
Trouble in the Glen was one of several felicitous collaborations between Hollywood's Republic Pictures and England's Herbert Wilcox-Anna Neagle productions. Curiously, Ms. Neagle does not appear--just as well, since the film is dominated by Orson Welles. Introducing himself with a typically self-indulgent monologue, the porcine Mr. Welles plays a South American resident who returns to his ancestral home in Scotland to become "Laird of the Glen". He immediately alienates the local populace by closing down the highway that runs through his estate. Hoping to make peace between Welles and the locals is former US air force officer Forrest Tucker, who developed an affection for the community while being stationed there during WWII. Violence threatens to erupt when evicted tinker Victor McLaglen rounds up a gang of toughs to lay siege on Welles' castle. The scenes involving Tucker's polio-crippled daughter (Margaret McCourt) run the risk of sloppy sentiment, but are deftly handled by producer-director Wilcox. Margaret Lockwood costars as Welles' daughter, who adheres to Hollywood formula by falling in love with the handsome Tucker. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Margaret Lockwood, Orson Welles, (more)
- 1954
The Sea Shall Not Have Them is our candidate for the most dramatic title of any British World War II film. Happily, the film itself upholds the promise of its name. The focus of the story is a dramatic rescue at sea, which consumes well over a third of the running time. A British bomber carrying high-ranking officer Michael Redgrave, commander Dirk Bogarde and two other men is blasted out of the sky by a German plane. The four men survive, board an inflatable dinghy, and patiently await rescue in the storm-tossed Atlantic. The Air-Sea Rescue Units are poised to write off the search for the downed flyers as hopeless, but Redgrave is carrying vital documents, and is therefore not expendable. Based on a novel by John Harris, The Sea Shall Not Have Them scores highest on its suspense content, and lowest on its banal dialogue exchanges. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Redgrave, Dirk Bogarde, (more)
- 1954
In this heartwarming film, a village squire generously offers a large cottage to a poor villager who has a lot of grandchildren. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 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
