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The Frightened Man

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The Frightened Man
Directed byJohn Gilling
Written byJohn Gilling
Produced byRobert S. Baker
Monty Berman
StarringDermot Walsh
Barbara Murray
Charles Victor
CinematographyMonty Berman
Edited byJack Slade
Music byJohn Lanchbery
Production
company
Distributed byEros Films
Release date
  • March 1952 (1952-03)
Running time
69 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

The Frightened Man (also known as Rosselli and Son) is a 1952 British second feature[1] crime film directed and written by John Gilling and starring Dermot Walsh, Barbara Murray and Charles Victor.[2] An antiques dealer suffers a dramatic fall from grace.

Plot

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Antiques dealer Roselli's dreams for his son Julius are disappointed when the young man is sent down from Oxford University for bad behaviour. Julius then gets involved with a gang of Camden Town jewel thieves. When they attempt to rob a warehouse Julius is injured in the getaway, but he continues his involvement and formulates a plan to steal diamonds from his wife’s employer in Hatton Garden. The gang leader agrees, but intends to cut out Roselli senior who, unknown to Julius, is a partner in the gang.

Cast

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Production

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It was shot at Twickenham and Riverside Studios.

Critical reception

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The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "A well constructed thriller: efficient performances, particularly from Charles Victor, and adequate suspense."[3]

TV Guide wrote: "this decent crime drama was written and directed by John Gilling, known for his efficient low-budget adventures and thrillers."[4]

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "average", writing: "Adequate thriller of passing interest, quite well developed."[5]

Britmovie called the film a "decent if unremarkable second-feature crime drama featuring Irish actor Dermot Walsh ... Walsh's father is played by experienced character actor Charles Victor, who performs his role with quiet, self-effacing distinction."

Film historians Steve Chibnall and Brian McFarlane note that "the film won considerable praise for being authentically staged, effectively directed, 'thrilling and human'."[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 128. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
  2. ^ "The Frightened Man". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  3. ^ "The Frightened Man". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 19 (216): 50. 1 January 1952 – via ProQuest.
  4. ^ "The Frightened Man Trailer, Reviews and Schedule for The Frightened Man | TVGuide.com". Movies.tvguide.com. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  5. ^ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 312. ISBN 0-7134-1874-5.
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