My Death Is a Mockery is a 1952 British second feature ('B')[1] crime film directed by Tony Young and starring Donald Houston, Kathleen Byron and Bill Kerr.[2] It was written by Douglas Baber from his novel of the same name.
| My Death Is a Mockery | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Tony Young |
| Written by | Douglas Baber (novel) |
| Produced by | David Dent |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Phil Grindrod |
| Edited by | Lito Carruthers |
Production company | Park Lane Films |
| Distributed by | Adelphi Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 75 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
The following year it attracted notoriety as the last film watched by Christopher Craig before he shot dead a policeman during a failed burglary.[1]
Synopsis
editAfter being condemned to death, a man recounts the events that have brought him there. A struggling Brixham fisherman, he was persuaded by an Australian chancer to switch to smuggling brandy from the French coast. However the murder of a policeman rapidly leads to things falling apart.
Cast
edit- Donald Houston as John Bradley
- Kathleen Byron as Helen Bradley
- Bill Kerr as Hansen
- Eddie Leslie as Le Cambre
- Liam Gaffney as Father Matthews
- Kenneth Henry as Inspector
- Felix Felton as Closterman
- Sheila McCormack as Patsy, barmaid
- Christopher Quest as first customs officer
- Michael Voysey as second customs officer
- Vincent Holman as prison governor
- Meadows White as warder
- Christmas Grose as sailor
Production
editIt was shot at the Brighton Studios.
Critical reception
editThe Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Unfortunately the script, particularly at first, is rather pompous and artificial. Otherwise, the film is technically adequate and acting and direction have a certain freshness."[3]
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "mediocre", writing: "Drama is resolutely dark and glum, minimally entertaining."[4]
References
edit- ^ a b Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 103. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
- ^ "My Death Is a Mockery". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ "My Death Is a Mockery". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 19 (216): 129. 1 January 1952 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 350. ISBN 0-7134-1874-5.
External links
edit
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