Little Red Monkey
Little Red Monkey | |
---|---|
Directed by | Ken Hughes |
Written by | James Eastwood Ken Hughes |
Based on | story by Eric Maschwitz |
Produced by | Alec C. Snowden |
Starring | Richard Conte Rona Anderson Russell Napier Sylva Langova |
Cinematography | Josef Ambor |
Edited by | Inman Hunter Geoffrey Muller |
Music by | Trevor Duncan |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Anglo-Amalgamated (UK) Allied Artists Pictures (US) |
Release dates | 3 June 1955 (W.Germany) 19 June 1955 (US) |
Running time | 71 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Little Red Monkey, released in the United States as Case of the Red Monkey, is a 1955 British crime film directed by Ken Hughes and starring Richard Conte, Rona Anderson and Russell Napier.[1] Detectives from Scotland Yard investigate a series of murders of leading Nuclear scientists, and are intrigued by strange reports received about the crimes. The film was based on a popular BBC TV series of the same name, written by Eric Maschwitz and produced by Bill Lyon-Shaw, which ran for six 30-minute episodes in 1953.[2]
The film was made by Anglo-Amalgamated at Merton Park Studios. The film was an international hit, and along with Confession proved a breakthrough for Anglo-Amalgamated. After its success the company began making more expensive productions, often importing American stars to give them more international appeal.[3][4]
Cast
- Richard Conte - Bill Locklin
- Rona Anderson - Julia Jackson
- Russell Napier - Superintendent John Harrington
- Sylva Langova - Hilde Heller, chief spy
- Colin Gordon - Harry Martin, reporter
- Donald Bisset - Editor Harris
- John King-Kelly - Spy Henchman
- Bernard Rebel - Vinson - Spy Henchman
- Arnold Marlé - Professor Leon Dushenko
- John Horsley - Detective Sergeant Gibson
- Jane Welsh - Superintendent McCollum
- Theodore Wilhelm - Secretary of the International Social Club
- Colin Tapley - Sir Clive Raglan
- Noel Johnson - Detective Sergeant Hawkins
- Jessica Kearns - Airport Hostess
- Geoffrey Denys - Doctor Mayhew
- Gianfranco Parolini - Inspector May
- Guy Deghy - Social Club Recreation Director
- Peter Godsell - Tommy McCollum
- Ed Devereaux - American Sailor (uncredited)
- Jon Farrell - American Newscaster (uncredited)
- Leonard Franks - Midget (uncredited)
- George Margo - American Sailor (uncredited)
- André Mikhelson - East German Chief of Border Guards (uncredited)
- Tony Sympson - Cab Driver (uncredited)
Production
The film was based on a 1953 British TV series starring Donald Huston and Honor Blackman.[5] The show's theme tune was very popular.[6]
Film rights were bought by Todon Productions who had just made Duel in the Jungle. Tony Owens, who ran Todon, signed Richard Conte to play the lead; Conte had just made A Race for Life in England. Filming started 24 May 1954 at Elstree Studios. The film was a co production with Anglo Guild.[7][8]
Reception
The MFB said it had "meagre excitements".[9]
References
- ^ BFI.org
- ^ "Donald Houston and Honor Blackman in 'LITTLE RED MONKEY'". BBC Genome Project. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
- ^ Chibnall & McFarlane p.99
- ^ Vagg, Stephen (14 November 2020). "Ken Hughes Forgotten Auteur". Filmink.
- ^ 1953 TV series at IMDb
- ^ LIMELIGHT BROUGHT HIM THE LIMELIGHT ...: Frank Chacksfield's name was practically unknown when he took the record market by storm Richards, Dick. Answers; London Vol. 125, Iss. 3237, (May 15, 1954): 7
- ^ Drama: Maggie McNamara Due Soon for 'Black Widow'; Conte Set for Thriller Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 30 Apr 1954: A11
- ^ Todon Doing 6th Picture Los Angeles Times 5 Feb 1956: D3.
- ^ LITTLE RED MONKEY Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 22, Iss. 252, (Jan 1, 1955): 40.
Bibliography
- Chibnall, Steve & McFarlane, Brian. The British 'B' Film. Palgrave MacMillan, 2009.
External links
- Little Red Monkey at IMDb
- Little Red Monkey at AllMovie
- Review of film at Variety
- Little Red Monkey at Letterbox DVD
- Little Red Monkey at BFI