Radio Cab Murder

The title of this lively Nettlefold quickie is rather misleading since although a copper's nark turns up dead early on, the incident is actually largely marginal to the main plot, the method revealed only at the end (the scientific officer at a loss to establish a cause of death, interestingly is played by a middle-aged woman).

Aptly described by girlfriend Lana Morris (who we're told was a cypher officer in the WRNS) as looking "more like a friendly bear than a gangster', Jimmy Hanley is cast spectacularly against type as a retired safecracker infiltrating a gang of desperados. Sonia Holm as the gang's moll makes an extraordinary first appearance robbing a bank in Kensington High Street disguised as a little old lady; while the usual cast of familiar faces (including the inevitable Sam Kydd) also includes Frank Thornton as a senior policeman and Elizabeth Seal as Morris's pal who gets the final punchline.

The Radio Cab Murder despite a few holes in the plot is a fewer frills noir than even American films would have had back then from our B studios. Still the action is kept at a good pace and there's not much extraneous material getting in the way of the plot.

By one of those movie coincidences Jimmy Hanley an ex-convict now driving a cab tails a robbery/murder suspect in another cab, but Hanley loses them in a park. Right after that an anonymous letter is sent to his cab company asking them by what right to they put the public in danger by hiring an ex-convict.

The police think it's a set up of sorts and Hanley goes to work for them. He's contacted soon enough by the same gang who needs his skills as a safecracker.

There are way too many coincidences in this film's story for me to give it a top rating. Hanley is cast well as a British every man, he'd grown out of playing callow youths which he primarily did in the Forties. Best by far in the cast supporting him is Sonia Holm who plays a beautiful but deadly female who is part of the gang not just a moll for the leader. Lana Morris plays Hanley's girlfriend who is the cab dispatcher who is his lifeline and proves to be resourceful.

At one point a snitch is murdered and the cops can't find evidence of a homicide. I won't reveal how they did it because it's what almost happens to Hanley. But forensics even in 1954 should have figured it out.

Radio Cab Murder despite flaws is still entertaining enough.

Enjoyable B-movie crime thriller. A taxi cab driver follows a getaway vehicle and ends up going under cover in order to catch the gang. A well-paced plot and generally good performances from a largely unknown cast. Jimmy Hanley is an interesting lead playing the now decent and reformed cabby. Characters smoke in almost every scene. It has a sense of calm politeness that many films from this post-war period have. Touches on striking, also a common of the time. The finale is exciting, with everyone coming together. It may have been the inspiration for the climax of Carry On Cabby a decade later. If you like this kind of thing, a worthwhile watch.

I was disappointed there were no radio cabs murdered, although one was bunged up -- the one Jimmy Hanley is driving while tailing a bank robber. This brings him to the attention of Scotland Yard. Soon enough, his record as an ex-con safe breaker comes to light, and while his boss and the Yard are fine with it, it's clear a gang of bank robbers are trying to get him fired so he'll go back on the crook. Everyone agrees and his boss pretends to fire him, which sets the other drivers threatening strike.

It's a good story and well acted, but there isn't that much to it as a movie. D.P. Geoffrey Faithfull, whose career began with Hepworth and who would continue as lighting cameraman into the 1970s, shoots efficiently but dully under the direction of Vernon Sewell.

"Radio Cab Murder" begins with an armed robbery. A cab driver, Fred Martin, sees the getaway and gives chase and almost catches up to them...almost. The police were thankful Martin tried and are impressed because Martin is an ex-con--and he's really turned his life around since his release. And, among his co-workers, he's very popular. However, someone is trying to get Martin fired--and sent an anonymous letter to his employer--telling him that Martin in an ex-con. However, the boss likes Martin also and already knows he's an ex-con. No problem, right? Well the police soon realize that the letter might not have come from some crank but a local gang. That's because their safe-cracker was found dead (of natural causes, apparently)--and Martin used to break open safes. It seems that they are TRYING to get him fired so that he'll need work--and they'll offer him some quick money doing SOMETHING illegal. But what is it? Well, the only way to find out is if Martin is willing to work for the police--which he does. But this gang is very deadly and very cautious and it sure looks as if Fred is in for trouble.

This is a very low budget British film. I didn't recognize anyone in the film. Yet, despite this, the film was reasonably exciting and well done. In particular, it ended very well when Martin's friends back at the cab company learn he's in danger and come pouring out of the woodwork to find him! While not a great film by any stretch, it is entertaining and worth a look.

If you are interested in seeing it, it's available from Alpha Video. The print is surprisingly good considering the source.