Radio Cab Murder

RADIO CAB MURDER is a solid little thriller starring the ubiquitous Jimmy Hanley and directed by the ubiquitous Vernon Sewell. Hanley features as a former con gone straight who now makes a living as a taxi driver. He very nearly foils a bank robbery and is subsequently sent undercover into the gang by the local cops.

It's a solid premise and one which Sewell wrings every last drop of suspense out of. Hanley is a likable lead and the film features an interesting supporting cast of likable character actors doing their bit, although it's very unusual to see Sam Kydd playing a villain for a change. Watch out for Frank Thornton in a minor role as one of the coppers.

One of this movie's best assets is Sonia Holm, a femme fatale who wouldn't be out of place in a comparable American movie of the era. The usual bank robbery scenarios are handled adroitly, as are the scenes involving cabs racing through the almost deserted streets of our capital, and the ending in particular is very cleverly achieved. RADIO CAB MURDER is one to watch for fans of the era.

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.

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.

This is one of those cheaply made black and white B pictures where there's too much talk and not enough action. The characters are too polite, too well mannered, and even the villains come across as pleasant. in fact, that's the problem with this film for everyone is far too genteel. Jimmy Hanley, the hero, is unconvincing as a hardened ex convict! His bland portrayal of taxi driver, who is spying on a gang of thieves never has any moments of real tension and nastiness. The characters are all one dimensional without any one of them showing real emotion. Hence, there is no sense of menace and without threatening characters or a gripping storyline, the film meanders along without causing any waves.

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.