Highly Dangerous
| Highly Dangerous | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Roy Ward Baker (as Roy Baker) |
| Produced by |
Antony Darnborough executive Earl St. John |
| Written by | Eric Ambler |
| Starring |
Margaret Lockwood Dane Clark Marius Goring Naunton Wayne |
| Music by | Richard Addinsell |
| Cinematography | Reginald H. Wyer |
| Edited by | Alfred Roome |
Production company | |
| Distributed by |
General Film Distributors (UK) Lippert Pictures (USA) |
Release dates | 6 December 1950 (London) |
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 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.
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
Production
Margaret Lockwood had not made a film in 18 months following Madness of the Heart, focusing on stage work.[1] 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.[2] It was directed by Roy Ward Baker, who had served with Ambler during the war.[3]
"One thing about Eric is that he presents you with a script that is beautifully finished in every detail," said Baker.[4]
"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."[5]
The filmmakers wanted a Hollywood leading man to play opposite Lockwood. Wendell Corey was originally sought[6] 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.[7]
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."[8]
References
- ↑ "Maggie comes back in Highly Dangerous.". Sunday Times (Perth, WA : 1902 - 1954). Perth, WA: National Library of Australia. 7 May 1950. p. 10 Supplement: Sunday Times MAGAZINE. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
- ↑ Ambler writes a thriller-comedy Times Pictorial (1941-1955) [Dublin, Ireland] 15 Apr 1950: 13.
- ↑ 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 By STEPHEN WATTS. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 20 May 1951: X5.
- ↑ McFarlane p 49
- ↑ McFarlane p 50
- ↑ "IN THE FILM SPOTLIGHT". Mirror. 27, (1457). Western Australia. 22 April 1950. p. 16. Retrieved 10 April 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
- ↑ "JUST VERY, VERY, DEAR FR TENDS". Mirror. 27, (1463). Western Australia. 3 June 1950. p. 15. Retrieved 10 April 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
- ↑ McFarlane p 49-50
- McFarlane, Brian, An Autobiography of British Cinema, 1997
External links
- Highly Dangerous at the Internet Movie Database
- Highly Dangerous at TCMDB
- Highly Dangerous at Britmovie
- Highly Dangerous at AllMovie
- Film4 review