Dial 999 (U.S title: The Way Out ) is a 1955 British 'B' movie[2] crime drama film directed and written by Montgomery Tully and starring Gene Nelson, Mona Freeman and John Bentley.[3] It was based on the novel of the same name by Bruce Graeme. Produced by Todon Productions, it was shot at the Merton Park Studios in London. RKO Radio Pictures purchased the rights to distribute it in the United States, where it was released in cut form on 11 April 1956.[citation needed]
| Dial 999 | |
|---|---|
 US theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Montgomery Tully |
| Written by | Montgomery Tully |
| Based on | the novel, The Way Out by Bruce Graeme |
| Produced by | Alec C. Snowden |
| Starring | Gene Nelson Mona Freeman John Bentley |
| Cinematography | Phil Grindrod |
| Edited by | Geoffrey Miller |
| Music by | Richard Taylor |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Anglo-Amalgamated (UK) RKO Radio Pictures (US) |
Release dates | December 1955 (UK)
|
Running time | 89 minutes (Dial 999) 78 minutes (The Way Out) |
| Country | Great Britain |
| Language | English |
Cast
edit- Gene Nelson as Greg Carradine
- Mona Freeman as Terry Carradine
- John Bentley as Det. Sgt. Seagrave
- Michael Goodliffe as John Moffat
- Sydney Tafler as Cressett
- Charles Victor as Tom Smithers
- Paula Byrne as Vera Bellamy
- Michael Golden as Inspector Keyes
- Arthur Lovegrove as George
- Charles Mortimer as Harding
- Cyril Chamberlain as Anderson
- Tony Sympson as Harry Briggs
- Jack McNaughton as plainclothes officer
- Michael Duffield as fingerprint man
- Patrick Newell as 1st brewer's man
- Kay Callard as blonde
- Peter Welch as plainclothes officer
- Margaret Harrison as Policewoman Larkins
- Kenneth Midwood as radio Operator
- Clifford Buckton as Alf
- Frank Forsythe as 1st police constable
- Frank Hawkins as 2nd police constable
- Walter Gotell as coliceman
- Harry Lane as Bob
- Barbara Roscoe as model
Critical reception
editThe Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "An uninspired and novelettish thriller, taken at such a slow pace that not even the final chase develops any real excitement. Mona Freeman cannot do much with the loyal wife, and Gene Nelson is inclined to overplay as the thoroughly unlikable Greg."[4]
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "good", writing: "Seat-gripper thriller whose tension increases nicely."[5]
References
edit- ^ "The Way Out: Detail View". American Film Institute. Archived from the original on 29 March 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
- ^ Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 145. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
- ^ "Dial 999". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ "Dial 999". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 23 (264): 7. 1 January 1956 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 301. ISBN 0-7134-1874-5.
External links
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