Never Look Back is a 1952 British second feature ('B')[1] drama film directed by Francis Searle and starring Rosamund John, Hugh Sinclair and Guy Middleton.[2][3] The screenplay concerns a newly appointed female barrister whose career is threatened by a former lover.[4] It was made by Hammer Films at the Mancunian Studios in Manchester.[1][5]
| Never Look Back | |
|---|---|
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| Directed by | Francis Searle |
| Written by | John Hunter Guy Morgan Francis Searle |
| Produced by | Michael Carreras |
| Starring | Rosamund John Hugh Sinclair Guy Middleton Henry Edwards |
| Cinematography | Reginald H. Wyer |
| Edited by | John Ferris |
| Music by | Temple Abady |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Exclusive Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 73 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Plot
editAnne Maitland is a newly-appointed King's Counsel. She receives an unexpected late-night visit from ex-boyfriend Guy Ransome. When Ransome is later accused of murdering his mistress on the same night, Anne takes on his defence. In a court battle against Nigel Stewart, a barrister who is madly in love with her, Maitland clears Ransome of murder by disclosing her earlier relationship with him, and that he was staying in her flat on the night of the crime. However, when it is discovered that Ransome did commit the murder, Maitland's reputation is in tatters. However, this failure leaves her finally able to marry Stewart, who he is no longer a professional threat.[6]
Cast
edit- Rosamund John as Anne Maitland, K.C.
- Hugh Sinclair as Nigel Stewart
- Guy Middleton as Guy Ransome
- Henry Edwards as Geoffrey Whitcomb
- Terence Longdon as Alan Whitcomb
- John Warwick as Inspector Raynor
- Brenda de Banzie as Molly Wheeler
- Arthur Howard as Charles Vaughan
- Bruce Belfrage as the Judge
- Fanny Rowe as Liz
- H.S. Hills as Frank Lindsell
- Hélène Burls as Mrs. Brock
- Bill Shine as Willie
- Timothy Bateson as court official
- Harry H. Corbett as policeman in charge cells
- June Mitchell as secretary
- Barbara Shaw as press woman
- David Scase as cameraman
- Norman Somers as Nigel's Junior
- Peter Jeffrey as court reporter
Critical reception
editThe Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "To outline the story is to emphasise its weakness and improbability. On the screen, however, it has been made to seem quite plausible and improves as it progresses, with a convincing court scene, The tempo, though, is too slow to sustain excitement."[7]
Kine Weekly wrote: "The characterisation and atmosphere are quite good, and smooth presentation gives its neat, if slightly theatrical, plot validity and penultimate punch."[8]
TV Guide gave the film two out of four stars, and wrote, "the British legal system is invested with enough romantic drama to rival a soap opera in this intriguing thriller."[9]
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "average", writing: "Contrived thriller with a good climax; first half pretty slow."[10]
References
edit- ^ a b Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 80. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
- ^ "Never Look Back". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
- ^ "Never Look Back". BFI. Archived from the original on 13 January 2009.
- ^ "Never Look Back". RadioTimes.
- ^ "Never Look Back". www.hammer-graveyard.org.uk. Archived from the original on 14 December 2014.
- ^ Steve Huey (2016). "Never-Look-Back - Trailer - Cast - Showtimes - NYTimes.com". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016.
- ^ "Never Look Back". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 19 (216): 66. 1 January 1952 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "Never Look Back". Kine Weekly. 420 (2335): 20. 27 March 1952 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "Never Look Back". TV Guide. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016.
- ^ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 351. ISBN 0-7134-1874-5.