Law and Disorder (1958 film)
Law and Disorder | |
---|---|
U.S. theatrical poster | |
Directed by | Charles Crichton |
Produced by | Paul Soskin |
Written by |
T.E.B. Clarke Patrick Campbell Vivienne Knight |
Based on | novel Smugglers' Circuit by Denys Roberts |
Starring |
Michael Redgrave Robert Morley |
Music by | Humphrey Searle |
Cinematography | Edward Scaife (as Ted Scaife) |
Edited by | Oswald Hafenrichter |
Production company |
A Paul Soskin Production British Lion Films Limited |
Distributed by | British Lion Film Corporation (UK) |
Release dates | 10 June 1958 (London) (UK) |
Running time | 76 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Law and Disorder is a 1958 British comedy film directed by Charles Crichton and starring Michael Redgrave, Robert Morley, Joan Hickson, Lionel Jeffries.[1] It was based on the 1954 novel Smugglers' Circuit by Denys Roberts. The film was started by director Henry Cornelius who died whilst making the film. He was replaced by Charles Crichton.[2]
Plot
Percy Brand is a crook and a veteran of various cons and schemes. His success is tempered by the fact that he is regularly sent away by a strict and condescending judge, Sir Edward Crichton. That doesn't bother Percy too much, but what does concern him is that his son, Colin, doesn't discover what his dad does for a living. So Percy tells him tales about being a missionary to cover his absences in gaol. Colin grows up believing that Percy is a do-gooder instead of a thief. However, Colin chooses a career as a barrister, and becomes Sir Edward Crichton's aide in court.
Cast
- Michael Redgrave as Percy Brand
- Robert Morley as Judge Sir Edward Crichton
- Ronald Squire as Colonel Masters
- Elizabeth Sellars as Gina Laselle
- Joan Hickson as Aunt Florence
- Lionel Jeffries as Major Proudfoot
- Jeremy Burnham as Colin Brand
- Brenda Bruce as Mary Cooper
- Harold Goodwin as Blacky
- George Coulouris as 'Bennie' Bensuson
- Meredith Edwards as Sergeant Bolton
- Reginald Beckwith as Vickery
- David Hutcheson as Freddie Cooper
- Mary Kerridge as Lady Crichton
- Michael Trubshawe as Ivan
Critical reception
The New York Times wrote, "Robert Morley contributes an outstanding performance as the stern judge who finds himself as much outside the law as within it. Although he never cracks a smile, chances are he will force a few on the customers. As a matter of fact, they should find most of the cheerful disorders in Law and Disorder irreverently funny and diverting";[3] and TV Guide noted, "a tight screenplay, with not a word wasted, and sharp acting by some of England's best characters. This is a good example of the 1950s Brit-Coms and there is so much joy in watching Morley acting with Redgrave that it seems a shame a series of films weren't made with these two characters pitted against each other."[4]
References
- ↑ "Law and Disorder". BFI.
- ↑ "Law and Disorder (1958) - Misc Notes - TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies.
- ↑ http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9B05E7D9123DEF34BC4E53DFBE668383649EDE
- ↑ "Law And Disorder". TVGuide.com.
External links
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