Highly Dangerous
Highly Dangerous | |
---|---|
Directed by | Roy Ward Baker (as Roy Baker) |
Written by | Eric Ambler |
Produced by | Antony Darnborough executive Earl St. John |
Starring | Margaret Lockwood Dane Clark Marius Goring Naunton Wayne |
Cinematography | Reginald H. Wyer |
Edited by | Alfred Roome |
Music by | Richard Addinsell |
Production company | |
Distributed by | General Film Distributors (UK) Lippert Pictures (US) |
Release dates | 6 December 1950 (London) 12 October 1951 (US) |
Running time | 88-90 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Highly Dangerous is a 1950 British spy film starring Margaret Lockwood. The screenplay was written by Eric Ambler.
It was released in the US by Lippert Pictures as Time Running Out.
Plot
Frances Gray is as a British entomologist trying to stop a biological attack with the help of an American journalist.[1]
Cast
- Margaret Lockwood as Frances Gray
- Dane Clark as Bill Casey
- Marius Goring as Commandant Anton Razinski
- Naunton Wayne as Mr. Hedgerley
- Wilfrid Hyde-White as Mr. Luke (as Wilfrid Hyde White)
- Eugene Deckers as Alf
- Olaf Pooley as Detective-Interrogator
- Gladys Henson as Attendant
- Paul Hardtmuth as Priest
- Michael Hordern as Lab Director Owens
- George Benson as Sandwich Stand Customer
- Eric Pohlmann as Joe
- Joan Haythorne as Judy
- Patric Doonan as Customs Man
- Anthony Newley as Operator
- Anton Diffring as Officer At Station Checkpoint (uncredited)
Production
Margaret Lockwood had not made a film in 18 months following Madness of the Heart, focusing on stage work.[2] Earl St. John wanted a comeback vehicle and commissioned Eric Ambler to write her a film specifically as a vehicle for Lockwood. Although he had recently specialised in melodramas, Highly Dangerous was a comedy thriller in the vein of Lockwood's earlier hits, The Lady Vanishes and Night Train to Munich.[3] It was directed by Roy Ward Baker, who had served with Ambler during the war.[4]
"One thing about Eric is that he presents you with a script that is beautifully finished in every detail", said Baker.[5]
"I think Margaret Lockwood wanted to play a modern woman", recalled Baker. "It was actually Eric Ambler's first or second book, although the book had a different title and its main character was a man; Eric changed it to a woman to make it more interesting."[6]
The filmmakers wanted a Hollywood leading man to play opposite Lockwood. Wendell Corey was originally sought[7] before the role was given to Dane Clark, who had recently left Warner Bros. Filming started in June 1950 and took place at Pinewood Studios.[8]
Reception
Baker later said that "Highly Dangerous wasn't a very successful picture.... It was a good idea although I don't think I did it very well."[9]
Filmink said "it should have been Lady Vanishes-like but the film never gets its tone right. It starts off straight then goes a bit wacky and is just not fun – it lacks comic relief, and Lockwood seems old and tired."[10]
References
- ^ "BRITISH THRILLER". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 19, no. 4. Australia, Australia. 27 June 1951. p. 29. Retrieved 1 October 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Maggie comes back in Highly Dangerous". The Sunday Times. Perth. 7 May 1950. p. 10 Supplement: Sunday Times MAGAZINE. Retrieved 31 October 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Ambler writes a thriller-comedy". Times Pictorial. Dublin, Ireland. 15 April 1950. p. 13.
- ^ STEPHEN WATTS (20 May 1951). "SUCCESS IN THE SHADOW OF FAILURE: Roy Baker Makes Mark as Director at Scene of Faded British Hopes On His Own Quick Return Army Training". New York Times. p. X5.
- ^ McFarlane p 49
- ^ McFarlane p 50
- ^ "IN THE FILM SPOTLIGHT". The Mirror. Vol. 27, no. 1457. Western Australia. 22 April 1950. p. 16. Retrieved 10 April 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "JUST VERY, VERY, DEAR FRIENDS". The Mirror. Vol. 27, no. 1463. Western Australia. 3 June 1950. p. 15. Retrieved 10 April 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ McFarlane p 49-50
- ^ Vagg, Stephen (January 29, 2020). "Why Stars Stop Being Stars: Margaret Lockwood". Filmink.
- McFarlane, Brian, An Autobiography of British Cinema, 1997
External links
- Highly Dangerous at IMDb
- Highly Dangerous at TCMDB
- Highly Dangerous at Britmovie
- Highly Dangerous at AllMovie
- Film4 review
- Review of film at Variety