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A Case for PC 49

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A Case for PC 49
Directed byFrancis Searle
Written byVernon Harris
Alan Stranks
Francis Searle
Produced byAnthony Hinds
StarringBrian Reece
Joy Shelton
Christine Norden
Michael Ripper
CinematographyWalter J. Harvey
Edited byJames Needs
Music byFrank Spencer
Production
company
Distributed byExclusive Films
Release date
  • 23 July 1951 (1951-07-23)[1]
Running time
81 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

A Case for PC 49 is a 1951 British second feature ('B')[2] crime drama directed by Francis Searle and starring Brian Reece, Joy Shelton and Christine Norden.[3] It was written by Vernon Harris, Francis Searle and Alan Stranks, based on the popular BBC radio series, and made by Hammer Films at Bray Studios. The film was produced from Feb. 17, 1951 through March 16, 1951. This was Hammer Films' sequel to their 1949 film The Adventures of PC 49. They replaced actor Hugh Latimer with Brian Reece (who had been the voice of the character on the BBC). This film also provided actor Michael Ripper with one of his most lengthy roles.[4]

Plot

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When millionaire Jimmy Pewter names model Della Dainton as his sole beneficiary, she decides to murder him with the help of her lover Victor Palentine. They kill Pewter and make it seem like an accident, but PC49 and his girlfriend Joan smell a rat. After gathering some evidence against Palantine, Joan is kidnapped but later found in Palantine's car and rescued by PC49. Meanwhile, Della Dainton has decided to kill Palantine as well and keep all the inheritance for herself. She hires two seedy guys who work for Palantine, and they succeed in killing their boss. Joan is kidnapped again by Della's cohorts, and once again rescued. PC49 tracks the culprits down to their hideaway in a brewery and has a shootout with them in the finale.

Cast

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Reception

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The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "The film follows the pattern of the radio series and the previous P.C. 49 films: a brutal crime story lightened by the well worn comic atitude adopted by Brian Reece. The many moments of suspense too often end in elaborate anti-climaxes and the complicated plot draws to an over-simplified and abrupt ending."[5]

Picturegoer wrote: "Provided you're not too exacting, you'll find eighty minutes in the custody of P.C. 49 quite a hectic experience. I did. I think the youngsters will enjoy it, too, despite the view of the censor, who's fitted it out with an 'A' certificate."[6]

References

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  1. ^ Johnson, Tom (1996). Hammer Films: An Exhaustive Filmography. North Carolina: McFarland. p. 59. ISBN 0-7864-0034-X.
  2. ^ Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 78. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
  3. ^ "A Case for PC 49". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  4. ^ Johnson, Tom (1996). Hammer Films: An Exhaustive Filmography. North Carolina: McFarland. p. 60. ISBN 0-7864-0034-X.
  5. ^ "A Case for PC 49". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 18 (204): 310. 1 January 1951 – via ProQuest.
  6. ^ "A Case for PC 49". Picturegoer. 22: 17. 18 August 1951 – via ProQuest.
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