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Reviews
The Last Run (1971)
stylish and underrated modern noir
I love this film, and really do wonder about the sensibility of contemporary reviewers who just didn't get it.
My favourite scene is when Trish Devere is using the shared pension bathroom to dry her underwear, explaining to Scott that she can't be expected to "walk around in wet knickers". Scott smirkingly replies, "which wouldn't bear thinking of", and receives a "death at forty paces" glare from Devere !
Public Eye: The Man Who Said Sorry (1972)
classic - all time great
Possibly one of the very finest examples of British tv. This would never have been allowed on BBC as they had a rule an "excessive morbidity".
Callan (1967)
timeless quality
Callan is often described as "bleak" and "dark", but in fact is satisfyingly authentic, superbly written and acted and bears multiple re-watching. The Cold War aspects seem incredibly authentic, and in one episode (early seventies) a character prophetically predicts the "beginning off the end" of the Soviet Empire. In the late sixties/early seventies the series quickly became a popular cultural phenomenon. As with early Special Branch, the restricted filming format involves plenty of great dialogue which only strengthens the timeless appeal. There is an obvious class theme running through the series, with Callan (probably Grammar school), Hunter/Meres (Public school) and Lonely (state/secondary). Some of the very best scenes are the Callan/Lonely dialogues, full of dry humour but never artificially sentimental.
There are similarities between Clint Eastwood's "Dirty Harry" and Callan - living alone, determinedly old fashioned dress code and persistently insubordinate attitude to superiors. Given Callan's popularity and Eastwood filming in Britain during 1968, it seems possible he might have been influenced by the show.
Girl in the Headlines (1963)
Superb british noir
Unfortunately, missed the first half hour due to misguided decision to see first half of Watford v Brentford. (It won't happen again !)
Wonderful and riveting film from the golden age of British noir - this must have been one of the first films Hendry did post Avengers. Portrayal of style and seediness very reminiscent of Raymond Chandler. Beautifully understated acting from Hendry - I wonder if Steve McQueen or Peter Yates saw this ?
Would give extra star but for slightly annoying Jane Asher as needy middle class daughter !
The Edgar Wallace Mystery Theatre: Ricochet (1963)
Superb crime drama
This is one of the very best of the Edgar Wallace Mystery theatre B film series - which means it's very good indeed. The acting style is always very dry and understated, which gives a timeless and very watchable quality. Apparently, Martin Ritt, the American director of the superb The Spy Who Came in from The Cold, told his cast he definitely wanted no over-acting or general luvvying-it-up , and these wonderful B films share that pared-down, realistic but stylish quality.
Maxine Audley is one of the standout actors in the series, along with Bernard Lee and Ray Barrett. If you look up their c v's in reference guides, these British B films are always dissed as "forgettable" by the usual dimwit critics !
Dark City (1950)
great under-rated film
Just watching this film for the first time and can't understand the lukewarm critic reviews. I'm beginning to think most critics are unable to differentiate between the genuinely great and merely fashionable. This film is absolutely fantastic and recommended for all admirers of Raymond Chandler or Tarrantino for that matter.
Lisabeth Scott is great as usual. She started as a singer, so surprised to read the musical numbers were dubbed.