To the Public Danger
| To the Public Danger | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Terence Fisher |
| Produced by | John Croydon |
| Written by |
Patrick Hamilton (play) T.J. Morrison Arthur Reid |
| Starring |
Dermot Walsh Susan Shaw Barry Letts |
| Music by | Doreen Carwithen |
| Cinematography |
Roy Fogwell Harry Waxman |
| Edited by | Graeme Hamilton |
Production company |
Highbury Productions |
| Distributed by | General Film Distributors |
Release date | September 1948 |
Running time | 43 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
To the Public Danger is a 1948 British drama film directed by Terence Fisher and starring Dermot Walsh, Susan Shaw and Barry Letts.
It was made at Highbury Studios as a second feature for release by the Rank Organisation.[1] Like other Highbury productions, it offered acting opportunities for several of Rank's young contract stars. The film's sets were designed by Don Russell, although a number of the scenes were shot on location.
It was based on a 1939 radio play by the writer Patrick Hamilton, who had been encouraged to write the story as part of a government road safety campaign. Hamilton had himself been knocked down by a drunk driver. The story was updated slightly, and represents the post-war malaise with the use of noirish sequences.[2] After making the film Fisher graduated to directing several more expensive productions for Gainsborough Pictures.
Synopsis
While having a quiet drink together in a road house, a young working-class couple Fred and Nancy fall into the company of two raffish motorists including the self-confident Captain Cole. After a game of billiards and a number of drinks, they drive out on the road. While spreeding along in the dark they hit what they think to be a man on a bicycle.
Although Fred wants to stop, Captain Cole insists on driving on. Nancy takes Cole's side and begins taunting Fred, who eventually manages to escape and raise the alarm. A police investigation reveals that nobody had been injured in the collision with the bike, which had belonged to a poacher who didn't report the accident. In the meantime, Cole, Nancy and the other passenger have suffered a crash of their own while drunken speeding, killing all three of them.
Cast
- Dermot Walsh as Captain Cole
- Susan Shaw as Nancy Bedford
- Barry Letts as Fred Lane
- Roy Plomley as Reggie
- Betty Ann Davies as Barmaid
- Sydney Bromley as Bar patron
- John Lorrell as Police Sergeant
- Sam Kydd as Police Driver
- Patricia Hayes as Postmistress
- Frederick Piper as Labourer
- Patience Rentoul as Labourer's Wife
- Cliff Weir as Pub Landlord
- Arthur Mullard as Man Standing Near Bar
- Barbara Murray as Bit Role
- Philip Saville as Man in pub watching billiards game
- Constance Smith as Girl in pub watching billiards game
References
Bibliography
- Chibnall, Steve & McFarlane, Brian. The British 'B' Film. Palgrave MacMillan, 2009.
- Hutchings, Peter. Terence Fisher. Manchester University Press, 2001.