Mrs. Pym of Scotland Yard
| Mrs. Pym of Scotland Yard | |
|---|---|
 Original lobby card | |
| Directed by | Fred Elles |
| Written by | Nigel Morland |
| Starring | |
Production company | Highbury Studios
|
| Distributed by | Grand National Pictures |
Release date | 1939 |
Running time | 65 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Mrs. Pym of Scotland Yard is a 1939 British comedy-drama film based on the Mrs Pym novels by Nigel Morland, and written by Morland, who re-used the title for a 1946 book.[1]
The film featured actress Mary Clare in her only title role[2] and it was Nigel Patrick's film debut.[3]
Plot
Scotland Yard's only female detective Mrs Pym investigates the murders of two people, members of the same psychic club. As well as solving the crimes Mrs Pym has to deal with unhelpful male colleagues and her good-natured but incompetent assistant Inspector Shott.[4]
Cast
- Mary Clare as Mrs Pym
- Edward Lexy as Inspector Shott
- Anthony Ireland as Henry Mencken, a medium
- Irene Handl as Mrs Bell, Mencken's assistant
- Nigel Patrick as Richard Loddon, a reporter
Production
The film was produced in London at Highbury Studios and directed by Fred Elles.[5][6] Filming took place in July 1939 with the film released in January 1940.[5]
Reception
Monthly Film Bulletin considered the story as ingenious and described Clare as "outstandingly good as the heroine" with a competent supporting cast.[4] In British Sound Films David Quinlan similarly wrote: "Ingenious, creepy thriller with first-class role for Mary Clare"[7] Leslie Halliwell said: "A would-be series character bites the dust through plot malnutrition"[8]
References
- ^ Reilly, John M., ed. (1980). Twentieth–Century Crime & Mystery Writers. Macmillan. p. 1095. ISBN 978-13498-13681.
- ^ Hartley, Cathy (2003). A Historical Dictionary of British Women. p. 104. ISBN 978-1857432282.
- ^ Maxford, Howard (2019). Hammer Complete. McFarland. p. 621. ISBN 978-1476670072.
- ^ a b "Entertainment Films". Monthly Film Bulletin. Vol. 6, no. 71. BFI. November 1939. pp. 201–202.[dead link]
- ^ a b Wood, Linda (2009) [1986]. British Films: 1927 – 1939. BFI. p. 97.
- ^ Chibnall, Stephen & McFarlane, Brian (2007). Quota Quickies: The Birth of the British 'B ' Film. p. 244. ISBN 978-1844571550.
- ^ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 116. ISBN 0-7134-1874-5.
- ^ Halliwell, Leslie (1989). Halliwell's Film Guide (7th ed.). London: Paladin. p. 688. ISBN 0-586-08894-6.
External links
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