Highly Dangerous is a 1950 British spy film starring Margaret Lockwood and Dane Clark. It was directed by Roy Ward Baker, based on a screenplay and original story written by Eric Ambler.
| Highly Dangerous | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Roy Ward Baker (as Roy Baker) |
| Written by | Eric Ambler |
| Produced by | Antony Darnborough executive Earl St. John |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Reginald H. Wyer |
| Edited by | Alfred Roome |
| Music by | Richard Addinsell |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | |
Release dates |
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Running time | 88-90 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
It was released in the US by Lippert Pictures as Time Running Out.
Plot edit
Frances Gray is as a British entomologist trying to stop a biological attack with the help of an American journalist.[1]
Cast edit
- Margaret Lockwood as Frances Gray
- Dane Clark as Bill Casey
- Marius Goring as Commandant Anton Razinski
- Naunton Wayne as Mr Hedgerley
- Wilfrid Hyde-White as Mr Luke (as Wilfrid Hyde White)
- Eugene Deckers as Alf
- Olaf Pooley as Detective-Interrogator
- Gladys Henson as Attendant
- Paul Hardtmuth as Priest
- Michael Hordern as Lab Director Owens
- George Benson as Sandwich Stand Customer
- Eric Pohlmann as Joe
- Joan Haythorne as Judy
- Patric Doonan as Customs Man
- Anthony Newley as Operator
- Anton Diffring as Officer At Station Checkpoint (uncredited)
Production edit
Margaret Lockwood had not made a film in 18 months following Madness of the Heart, and had been focusing on stage work.[2] Earl St John wanted a comeback vehicle and commissioned Eric Ambler to write a film specifically as a vehicle for Lockwood. Ambler had recently specialised in melodramas, but Highly Dangerous was a comedy thriller in the vein of Lockwood's earlier hits, The Lady Vanishes and Night Train to Munich.[3] It was directed by Roy Ward Baker, who had served with Ambler during the war.[4]
"One thing about Eric is that he presents you with a script that is beautifully finished in every detail", said Baker.[5] He added " Eric had invented a language for the people the other side of the curtain which wasn’t Russian or anything else and the poor actors had to learn this stuff. He was playing a game with that."[6]
"I think Margaret Lockwood wanted to play a modern woman", recalled Baker. "It was actually Eric Ambler's first or second book, although the book had a different title and its main character was a man; Eric changed it to a woman to make it more interesting."[7]
The studio wanted a Hollywood leading man to play opposite Lockwood. Wendell Corey was originally sought[8] before the role was given to Dane Clark, who had recently left Warner Bros. "He was just delivering a stock leading man movie performance which was virtually nothing," said Baker. "He wasn’t very efficient. I think he fell in love with London. He also fell deeply in love with Jean Simmonds which was unrequited. He was a pillock I’m afraid. Marius Goring played the Belgravian heavy he was very heavy I'm afraid. I couldn't control him at all. It was a satisfactory run of the mill picture."[6]
There was location work done in Trieste. "I found it very difficult to make anything of that location," said Baker. "I was a bit disappointed and to tell the truth I didn't do it very well. The reason I say that is that many years later... I realised I’d been trying to piece it together in a logical way, sticking to the topography of Trieste I’d done myself an injury because the audience doesn't give a damn."[6]
Filming started at Pinewood Studios in June 1950.[9]
Reception edit
Baker later said that "Highly Dangerous wasn't a very successful picture.... It was a good idea although I don't think I did it very well."[10]
References edit
- ^ "BRITISH THRILLER". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 19, no. 4. Australia. 27 June 1951. p. 29. Retrieved 1 October 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Maggie comes back in Highly Dangerous". The Sunday Times. Perth. 7 May 1950. p. 10 Supplement: Sunday Times MAGAZINE. Retrieved 31 October 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Ambler writes a thriller-comedy". Times Pictorial. Dublin, Ireland. 15 April 1950. p. 13.
- ^ STEPHEN WATTS (20 May 1951). "SUCCESS IN THE SHADOW OF FAILURE: Roy Baker Makes Mark as Director at Scene of Faded British Hopes On His Own Quick Return Army Training". New York Times. p. X5.
- ^ McFarlane p 49
- ^ a b c Fowler, Roy (Oct–Nov 1989). "Interview with Roy Ward Baker" (PDF). British Entertainment History Project.
- ^ McFarlane p 50
- ^ "IN THE FILM SPOTLIGHT". The Mirror. Vol. 27, no. 1457. Western Australia. 22 April 1950. p. 16. Retrieved 10 April 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "JUST VERY, VERY, DEAR FRIENDS". The Mirror. Vol. 27, no. 1463. Western Australia. 3 June 1950. p. 15. Retrieved 10 April 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ McFarlane p 49-50
Notes edit
- McFarlane, Brian, An Autobiography of British Cinema, 1997
External links edit
- Highly Dangerous at IMDb
- Highly Dangerous at TCMDB
- Highly Dangerous at Britmovie
- Highly Dangerous at AllMovie
- Film4 review
- Review of film at Variety
