Mrs. Pym of Scotland Yard
Original lobby card
Directed byFred Elles
Written byNigel Morland
Starring
Mary Clare
Production
company
Highbury Studios
  • Hurley Productions
Distributed byGrand National Pictures
Release date
1939
Running time
65 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Mrs. Pym of Scotland Yard is a 1939 British comedy-drama film directed by Fred Elles starring Mary Clare in her only title role[1] and Nigel Patrick in his film debut.[2] It is based on the Mrs Pym novels by Nigel Morland, and written by Morland, who re-used the title for a 1946 book.[3]

Plot

Scotland Yard's only female detective Mrs Pym investigates the murders of two people, members of the same psychic club. As well as solving the crimes Mrs Pym has to deal with unhelpful male colleagues and her good-natured but incompetent assistant Inspector Shott.

Cast

Production

The film was shot in London at Highbury Studios in July 1939 and released in January 1940.[4][5]

Critical reception

Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "The story as ingenious and there is an abundance of thrills. ... Mary Clare is outstandingly good as the heroine. She gets a chance to show what she can do, and takes it with both hands. ... The supporting cast is competent.[6]

Kine Weekly said: "The tale, both in its comedy and its thrills, is a first-rate vehicle for Mary Clare, and she seizes every opportunity. Support is competent and direction snappy."[7]

In British Sound Films David Quinlan wrote: "Ingenious, creepy thriller with first-class role for Mary Clare"[8]

Leslie Halliwell said: "A would-be series character bites the dust through plot malnutrition"[9]

References

  1. ↑ Hartley, Cathy (2003). A Historical Dictionary of British Women. p. 104. ISBN 978-1857432282.
  2. ↑ Maxford, Howard (2019). Hammer Complete. McFarland. p. 621. ISBN 978-1476670072.
  3. ↑ Reilly, John M., ed. (1980). Twentieth–Century Crime & Mystery Writers. Macmillan. p. 1095. ISBN 978-13498-13681.
  4. ↑ Wood, Linda (2009) [1986]. British Films: 1927 – 1939. BFI. p. 97.
  5. ↑ Chibnall, Stephen & McFarlane, Brian (2007). Quota Quickies: The Birth of the British 'B ' Film. p. 244. ISBN 978-1844571550.
  6. ↑ "Mrs Pym of Scotland Yard". Monthly Film Bulletin. 6 (61): 201. 1 January 1939 – via ProQuest.
  7. ↑ "Mrs Pym of Scotland Yard". Kine Weekly. 350 (2035): 22. 2 November 1939 – via ProQuest.
  8. ↑ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 116. ISBN 0-7134-1874-5.
  9. ↑ Halliwell, Leslie (1989). Halliwell's Film Guide (7th ed.). London: Paladin. p. 688. ISBN 0-586-08894-6.
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