Tiger by the Tail (1955 film)
Tiger by the Tail | |
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File:"Tiger by the Tail" (1955).jpg | |
Directed by | John Gilling |
Screenplay by | John Gilling Willis Goldbeck |
Based on | Never Come Back by John Mair |
Produced by | Robert S. Baker Monty Berman |
Starring | Larry Parks Constance Smith Lisa Daniely Cyril Chamberlain Donald Stewart |
Cinematography | Eric Cross |
Edited by | Jack Slade |
Music by | Stanley Black |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Eros Films (UK) United Artists (US) |
Release date | 30 May 1955 |
Running time | 80 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Tiger by the Tail is a 1955 British crime thriller film directed by John Gilling and starring Larry Parks, Constance Smith, Lisa Daniely and Donald Stewart.[1] It is an adaptation of the novel Never Come Back by John Mair. Larry Parks, a memorable Al Jolson in The Jolson Story, had fallen foul of America's House Un-American Activities Committee, and had his first film role for four years starring in this British low budgeter.[2] It was shot at Walton Studios and on location around London. In 1958 it was distributed in the United States by United Artists under the title Cross-Up.[3]
Premise
An American journalist works to expose a criminal gang in London. However, his investigation of their counterfeiting activities leads to his kidnapping by the gang.
Main cast
- Larry Parks as John Desmond
- Constance Smith as Jane Claymore
- Lisa Daniely as Anna Ray
- Cyril Chamberlain as Foster
- Donald Stewart as Macauly
- Ronan O'Casey as Nick
- Alexander Gauge as Fitzgerald
- Ronald Leigh-Hunt as Doctor Scott
- June Rodney as Young Psychiatric Nurse
- Joan Heal as Annabella
- Thora Hird as Mary
- Doris Hare as Nurse Brady
- Marie Bryant as Melodie
- Russell Westwood as Sam
- John H. Watson as Truscott
- Robert Moore as Clarke
- Hal Osmond as Charlie
- Frank Forsyth as Sergeant Gross
- Alastair Hunter as Hotel Clerk
- Margot Bryant as Cleaning Woman
Critical reception
- The Radio Times described the film as "a tatty little tale."[4]
- Sky Movies called it a "thoroughly routine British `B' thriller...Familiar situations and backdrops give a competent cast ... little chance to elevate their material above the ordinary. Director John Gilling, who also co-scripted, ensures the thriller is competent in all departments if no more."[5]
- Derek Winnert observed that "director John Gilling puts some energy into a busy though stock thriller plot".[6]
References
- ^ "BFI | Film & TV Database | TIGER BY THE TAIL (1955)". Ftvdb.bfi.org.uk. 16 April 2009. Archived from the original on 17 January 2009. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- ^ "Tiger by the Tail | review, synopsis, book tickets, showtimes, movie release date |". Time Out London. 27 April 2013. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- ^ "Cross-Up". TCM. Archived from the original on 22 January 2021.
- ^ "Tiger by the Tail (1955)".
- ^ "Tiger by the Tail - Sky Movies HD". Skymovies.sky.com. 23 May 2002. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- ^ "Tiger by the Tail [Cross-Up]". www.derekwinnert.com. 3 September 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
External links
- Pages with short description
- Articles with short description
- Short description with empty Wikidata description
- Use dmy dates from June 2016
- Use British English from June 2016
- Articles with missing files
- IMDb ID not in Wikidata
- 1955 films
- 1950s crime comedy films
- Films directed by John Gilling
- British crime comedy films
- 1955 comedy films
- Films shot in London
- Films set in London
- Films shot at Nettlefold Studios
- 1950s English-language films
- 1950s British films
- British black-and-white films
- All stub articles
- 1950s British film stubs
- Crime comedy film stubs