The Brass Monkey (film)
| Brass Monkey | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by |
Thornton Freeland dialogue director Denny Freeman |
| Produced by | N.A. Bronsten |
| Written by |
Alec Coppel additional dialogue William Freshman Vernon Sylvaine Robert Buckland |
| Based on |
an original story by Alec Coppell Thornton Freeland |
| Starring |
Carroll Levis Carole Landis |
| Music by |
Buddy Bradley Sid Colin Dr. Bernard Grun Noel Langley |
| Cinematography | Basil Emmott |
| Edited by | David Hawkins |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
Release dates | 1948 |
Running time | 100 min. |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Brass Monkey or The Brass Monkey (1948) is a British comedy thriller with musical asides, directed by Thornton Freeland. It stars Carroll Levis, a radio variety show host and talent scout (known as "Britains favorite Canadian") and American actress Carole Landis. This was Landis' last film. Also known as The Lucky Mascot, the film is noted for an early appearance by comic actor Terry-Thomas, playing himself.[1] Though made in 1948, The Brass Monkey wasn't released until 1951.[2][3]
Plot
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 there’s a suspicion 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 program.[1][2][4][5]
Cast
- 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
Critical reception
- Time Out called the film a "ramshackle support feature," and concluded it was "a curio, but not really a collectible."[6]
- 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."[7]
References
- 1 2 "The Lucky Mascot Review". Movies.tvguide.com. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
- 1 2 "Brass Monkey 1948 | Britmovie | Home of British Films". Britmovie. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
- ↑ "Lucky Mascot | BFI | BFI". Explore.bfi.org.uk. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
- ↑ "Brass Monkey (The Lucky Mascot) (1947-England) [VHS]: Terry-Thomas, Ernest Thesiger, Herbert Lom, Carole Landis, Carroll Levis: Movies & TV". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
- 1 2 "29 Aug 1950 - Radio Theatre Talkies Current Attractions REVIEW". Trove.nla.gov.au. 1950-08-29. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
- ↑ "The Brass Monkey | review, synopsis, book tickets, showtimes, movie release date | Time Out London". Timeout.com. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
- ↑ "The Brass Monkey - Sky Movies HD". Skymovies.sky.com. 2003-05-07. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
External links
| ||||||
| ||||||||||||||