The Squeaker (1937 film)
| The Squeaker | |
|---|---|
.jpg) U.S. theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | William K. Howard |
| Screenplay by | Ted Berkman (as Edward O. Berkman) Bryan Edgar Wallace (scenario) (as Bryan Wallace) |
| Produced by | Alexander Korda |
| Starring | Edmund Lowe Sebastian Shaw Ann Todd |
| Cinematography | Georges Périnal |
| Edited by | Russell Lloyd |
| Music by | Miklós Rózsa |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | United Artists (UK) |
Release date | 6 November 1937 (UK) |
Running time | 77 min. |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
The Squeaker is a 1937 British crime film directed by William K. Howard and starring Edmund Lowe, Sebastian Shaw and Ann Todd.[1] Edmund Lowe reprised his stage performance in the role of Inspector Barrabal.[2] It is based on the novel The Squeaker by Edgar Wallace. The Squeaker is underworld slang for informer.[3] The film is sometimes known by its U.S. alternative title Murder on Diamond Row.[3]
Plot
London's thieves are at the mercy of a super fence, who is in on every big jewellry robbery in the city. If the thieves won't split the loot with him, 'The Squeaker' shops them to the Police. A disgraced ex-detective believes there may be an opportunity to clear his name if he can capture 'The Squeaker'.
Cast
- Edmund Lowe - Inspector Barrabal
- Sebastian Shaw - Frank Sutton
- Ann Todd - Carol Stedman
- Tamara Desni - Tamara
- Robert Newton - Larry Graeme
- Allan Jeayes - Inspector Elford
- Alastair Sim - Joshua Collie
- Stewart Rome - Police Superintendent Marshall
- Mabel Terry-Lewis - Mrs. Stedman
- Gordon McLeod - Mr. Field
- Alf Goddard - Sergeant Hawkins
- Danny Green - Safecracker
- Michael Rennie - Medical Examiner
Critical reception
TV Guide wrote, "(it) has its moments, but is bogged down by the unnecessary characterizations, some occasionally inept lensing, and slow-paced direction";[4] while the Radio Times wrote, "Edgar Wallace's classic whodunnit has been reworked into an efficient crime story by producer Alexander Korda...Confined within starchy studio sets, William K Howard directs steadily, but the removal of that touch of mystery leaves him with precious little to play with, to the extent that he has to bolster the action with protracted love scenes between Lowe and Ann Todd. Robert Newton and Alastair Sim put in pleasing support appearances";[2] and Leonard Maltin wrote, "classy cast in first-rate Edgar Wallace mystery."[5]
References
- ^ "The Squeaker". BFI.
- ^ a b David Parkinson. "The Squeaker". RadioTimes.
- ^ a b "Murder on Diamond Row (1937) - Notes - TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies.
- ^ "Murder On Diamond Row". TVGuide.com.
- ^ "Murder on Diamond Row (1937) - Overview - TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies.
External links
- The Squeaker at IMDb
