The Unstoppable Man is a 1960 British second feature[2] crime drama film directed by Terry Bishop and starring Cameron Mitchell, Harry H. Corbett, Marius Goring and Lois Maxwell.[3] It was written by Bishop, Alun Falconer and Paddy Manning O'Brine based on the 1973 short story Amateur in Violence by Michael Gilbert.[1]
| The Unstoppable Man | |
|---|---|
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| Directed by | Terry Bishop |
| Written by | Terry Bishop Alun Falconer Paddy Manning O'Brine |
| Based on | The short story Amateur in Violence by Michael Gilbert[1] |
| Produced by | John Pellatt |
| Starring | Cameron Mitchell Marius Goring |
| Cinematography | Arthur Grant |
| Edited by | Antony Gibbs (as Anthony Gibbs) |
| Music by | Bill McGuffie |
Production company | Argo Film Productions |
| Distributed by | Anglo-Amalgamated Film Distributors (UK) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 68 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Plot
editA gang of criminals kidnaps the son of James Kennedy, who is an American executive of a London-based chemical company.
Kennedy ignores the advice of Inspector Hazelrigg of Scotland Yard to try a plan of his own. He wants to act without the police. The father wants to pay any ransom and simply make a business deal. He doubles the ransom amount expecting the thieves to have a falling-out over how to divide it. Rocky steals part of the money and is indeed killed for it. Evidence at the crime scene leads Kennedy to a home in Hampstead where the mastermind, Feist, is keeping Kennedy's son.
Hazelrigg comes along for a second ransom payment but agrees to give Kennedy a few minutes to enter the house alone. Armed with a flamethrower, Kennedy is able to take his son to safety while the police close in on Feist.
Cast
edit- Cameron Mitchell as James Kennedy
- Marius Goring as Inspector Hazelrigg
- Harry H. Corbett as Feist
- Lois Maxwell as Helen Kennedy
- Denis Gilmore as Jimmy Kennedy
- Humphrey Lestocq as Sergeant Plummer
- Ann Sears as Pat Delaney
- Timothy Bateson as Rocky
- Kenneth Cope as Benny
- Brian Rawlinson as Moonlight Jackson
- Tony Quinn as Casey
- Tony Doonan as Alan
- Susan Denny as Milly* Jean Marlow as May
- Edward Harvey as Lewis
- Emrys Leyshon as lab assistant
- Tony Hawes as TV interviewer
- Alan Edwards as Station Constable
- John Baker as reporter
- Liza Page as club girl
- Donald Auld as doorman
- Graham Stewart as taxi driver
Critical reception
editIn a contemporary review, Monthly Film Bulletin said "For its size and type, this is a creditable little production. Though in the familiar tradition of British second feature crime thrillers, it has the benefit of a Michael Gilbert story which, though unconvincing in some of its details, offers an intriguing exercise in detection. The characters are sharply drawn, Terry Bishop's direction – apart from a slow middle section – is slick and resourceful, and the authentic backgrounds heighten impact. Cameron Mitchell makes a strong impression as the businessman, while Marius Goring as the Inspector and Harry H. Corbett as the kidnapper give quieter but equally competent performances."[4]
References
edit- 1 2 Goble, Alan (1 January 1999). The Complete Index to Literary Sources in Film. Walter de Gruyter. ISBN 9783110951943 – via Google Books.
- ↑ Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 156. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
- ↑ "The Unstoppable Man". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
- ↑ "The Unstoppable Man". Monthly Film Bulletin. 27 (312): 173. 1960. ProQuest 1305823068.