| Tiger by the Tail | |
|---|---|
.jpg.webp) Belgian poster | |
| 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, who had played 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
Recent assessments
- The Radio Times describes the film as "a tatty little tale".[4]
- Sky Movies calls 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 observes that "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