Brass Monkey is a 1948 British comedy thriller with musical asides, directed by Thornton Freeland. It stars Carroll Levis, a radio variety show host and talent scout (known as "Britain's favourite Canadian")[citation needed] and American actress Carole Landis in her last film. Also known as The Lucky Mascot, the film features an early appearance by comic actor Terry-Thomas, playing himself.[1]
| Brass Monkey | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Thornton Freeland dialogue director Denny Freeman |
| Written by | Alec Coppel additional dialogue William Freshman Vernon Sylvaine Robert Buckland |
| Based on | an original story by Alec Coppel Thornton Freeland |
| Produced by | N.A. Bronsten associate John R. Sloan |
| Starring | Carroll Levis Carole Landis Herbert Lom |
| Cinematography | Basil Emmott |
| Edited by | David Hawkins |
| Music by | Dr. Bernard Grun |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
Release date | 1949 (UK) |
Running time | 100 min. |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Though made in 1948, Brass Monkey wasn't released in the US until 1951.[2][3]
Plot edit
Popular radio presenter Carroll Levis (playing himself), and Kay Sheldon (Carole Landis) find themselves entangled in a web of smuggling and murder. When a priceless "brass monkey" is stolen from a Japanese temple and smuggled into England, Levis encounters the eccentric Mr. Ryder-Harris (Ernest Thesiger), a Buddhist art connoisseur who's chasing the artefact, and will apparently stop at nothing to get it. The monkey is missing and suspicious murders are being committed in the hunt for its retrieval. With the help of the Discoveries radio talent, Levis attempts to avoid murderous henchman Herbert Lom, and foil Mr. Ryder-Harris's plans. Amongst all the mayhem, an array of musical and comedy performers audition for and appear on The Levis Hour, the hero's weekly radio programme.[1][2][4][5]
Cast edit
- Carroll Levis as himself
- Carole Landis as Kay Sheldon
- Herbert Lom as Peter Hobart
- Avril Angers as herself
- Ernest Thesiger as Ryder-Harris
- Edward Underdown as Max Taylor
- Henry Edwards as Inspector Miller
- Henry Worthington as Rodney
- Terry-Thomas as himself
- Leslie 'Hutch' Hutchinson as Hutch
- Campbell Cotts as A.J. Gilroy
- Peter Williams as Detective Fellows
Production edit
Landis arrived in England to make the film in August 1947.[6] Landis reportedly said that she encouraged the English actors to speak more slowly so that U.S. audiences could understand them.[7]
Songs edit
- "It's the Greatest Business in the world" by Gaby Rogers – staged by Buddy Bradley
- "Home Sweet Home" by Sid Colin and Steve Race
- "Somebody Blew My Bluebird's Egg" by Noel Langley and Pat Quin
- "I Know Myself Too Well" by Ross Parker
- "Tomorrow's Rainbow" by Colin Campbell
Critical reception edit
- Time Out called the film a "ramshackle support feature", and concluded it was "a curio, but not really a collectible."[8]
- In a contemporary review, The Geraldton Guardian called The Brass Monkey, a "well told story."[5]
- Sky Movies wrote, "a rough (very rough) and tumble British comedy-thriller spun round the then popular shows featuring Carroll Levis. ... Not much as a film ... But of undoubted interest for its extraordinary cast."[9]
References edit
- ^ a b "The Lucky Mascot Review". Movies.tvguide.com. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
- ^ a b "Brass Monkey 1948 | Britmovie | Home of British Films". Britmovie. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
- ^ "Lucky Mascot | BFI | BFI". Explore.bfi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 12 July 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
- ^ "Brass Monkey (The Lucky Mascot) (1947-England) [VHS]: Terry-Thomas, Ernest Thesiger, Herbert Lom, Carole Landis, Carroll Levis: Movies & TV". Amazon. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
- ^ a b "29 Aug 1950 – Radio Theatre Talkies Current Attractions REVIEW". Geraldton Guardian. 29 August 1950. Retrieved 12 March 2014 – via Trove.
- ^ THOMAS F. BRADY (20 August 1947). "STUDIO TO REFILM SCENES IN PICTURE: Eagle Lion, in Agreement With Fox Will Retake Sequences in Completed Melodrama". New York Times. p. 24.
- ^ "Sanders In Britain For Filming Of Maugham Book". Truth. No. 3021. New South Wales, Australia. 14 December 1947. p. 55. Retrieved 30 April 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "The Brass Monkey | review, synopsis, book tickets, showtimes, movie release date | Time Out London". Timeout.com. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
- ^ "The Brass Monkey – Sky Movies HD". Skymovies.sky.com. 7 May 2003. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
External links edit
- Brass Monkey at IMDb
- Brass Monkey at AllMovie
