The Great Van Robbery is a 1959 black-and-white British crime film starring Denis Shaw and Kay Callard, directed by Max Varnel.[1] It was written by Brian Clemens and Eldon Howard and produced by The Danzigers.
| The Great Van Robbery | |
|---|---|
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| Directed by | Max Varnel |
| Written by | Brian Clemens Eldon Howard |
| Produced by | |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | James Wilson (as Jimmy Wilson) |
| Edited by | Maurice Rootes |
| Music by | Albert Elms (uncredited) |
Production company | Danziger Productions |
| Distributed by | United Artists (US) |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 71 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Plot
editScotland Yard teams up with Interpol to discover the origins of stolen money in a private bank account in Rio de Janeiro. Assigning their best detective Caesar Smith to the case, the money is soon traced to a robbery from a Royal Mint van. Investigations lead to a coffee storehouse where a worker is found murdered and the remaining loot discovered.
Cast
edit- Denis Shaw as Caesar Smith
- Kay Callard as Ella
- Tony Quinn as Mercer
- Philip Saville as Cartier
- Vera Fusek as Mara
- Tony Doonan as Wally
- Bob Simmons as Peters
- Geoffrey Hibbert as Venner
- Gordon Sterne as Robledo
- Carl Duering as Delgano
- Guido Lorraine as Leprave
- June Rodney as Julie
- Hal Osmond as Freddie
- Brian Weske as Francey
- Carl Conway as Bart
- Michael Bell as Garfield
- Jacques Cey as Workman
- Julian Orchard as Brady
- Robert Raglan as Surgeon
- Peter Allenby as Bank Manager
- Paul Stassino as Toni
Production
editThe film's camera operator was future director Nicolas Roeg (credited as Nick Roeg).[2]
Reception
editThe Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Though basically routine in plot and substance, this lively crime thriller has the particular advantage of a freshly observed hero in Caesar Smith, convincingly played by Denis Shaw as a heavily built but agile Scotland Yard man with a dexterous line in judo."[3]
Boxoffice said: "Denis Shaw is the hero, ever resolute and resourceful – and upon his fast-stepping form the film's dramatic intensity rests. The audience for which it's designed will be happy."[4]
In British Sound Films David Quinlan says: "Routine crooks' tour with an unusual hero."[5]
Franz Antony Clinton writes in British Thrillers, 1950–1979: "In one of the better Danzinger brothers B movies, The Great Van Robbery features a bright script and efficient direction that keeps things moving at a brisk pace."[6]
In The British 'B' Film Chibnall & McFarlane write: "Nicolas Roeg's camerwork brought some distinction to The Great Van Robbery."[7]
References
edit- ^ "The Great Van Robbery". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
- ^ Roeg, Nicolas (2013). The World is Ever Changing. London: Faber and Faber. p. 239. ISBN 9780571264933.
- ^ "On the Fiddle". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 26 (300): 33. 1 January 1959 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "The Great Van Robbery". Boxoffice. 82 (18): a11–a12. 25 February 1963.
- ^ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 317. ISBN 0-7134-1874-5.
- ^ Clinton, Franz Antony. British Thrillers, 1950–1979: 845 Films of Suspense, Mystery, Murder and Espionage. McFarland. p. 160. ISBN 978-0786410323.
- ^ Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 168. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
External links
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