Johnny You're Wanted

I have already seen batches of those British thrillers from the fifties, most of them very cheap, directed by famous unknown film makers. And also, for many of them, produced by Danzigers and Butchers companies, specialized in under seventy minutes movies. A blend of comedy, mystery, action.... Not my cup of tea. This one is just a curiosity if you seek a British B film from this period, but you can really live without it. Vernon Sewell, I know this director, some kind of Monty Tully like film maker, or also Lance Comfort, those B thrillers providers, not too bad films. From time to time, it is good to try those flicks from UK, you may find something interesting.

John Slater is driving his lorry towards London when a girl jumps onto the road in front of him and begs a ride. Down the road a piece, he stops at a cafe for some coffee and a phone call. When he returns to his truck, he finds her gone, shrugs his shoulders and continues on.... and finds her dead further down the road. The police investigation finds it a murder, and Slater finds himself right in the hapless thick of it, along with strong woman Joan Rhodes (in her movie debut) and stage psychic Garry Marsh, along with an investigation into drug trafficking.

It's a decently set up second feature, with some amusing points about how enterprising amateurs getting into the middle of murder investigations rarely do anyone any good, particularly themselves. Slater is pretty good as the clueless truck driver who keeps finding himself in trouble, and quota quickie director Vernon Sewell does his usual competent, cheap job.

I always enjoy a film featuring Alfred Marks.He was a very funny man.His part as a villain in this film was a funny turn,in particular trying to sell a novelty to a very awkward young boy.Then we have the participation of Joan Rhodes,a stage strong woman.Her act seems to take up much of the first half of the film.Obviously they were short of about 20 minutes for the plot.That very experienced actor Garry Marsh plays the chief villain with his usual aplomb.Frank Thornton plays a police inspector before Mr Partridge turned him into a popular TV actor.John Slater plays a somewhat gormless lorry driver who decides to try and help the police solve the murder of his mystery passenger.

This movie is very good, although it's hard to catch anymore. I saw it years ago on the late late show back in LA in the 70s. It involves Johnny, a world weary truck driver who picks up an attractive lady hitchhiker. After dropping her off, she is murdered and the police backtrack and discover that Johnny was the last one to see her alive. Now he must go on the run while trying to figure out who killed the woman while still eluding the bobbies. Along the way, he is befriended by a runaway boy who helps him clear his name. Look for an extended film appearance by legendary British strong woman Joan Rhodes, who was extremely popular in Europe at the time of this film. She even performs her strength act on film for maybe the only time. The police question her when they discover that Johnny the suspect was at her show the night of the murder. It's hilarious to see the cops trying to tear a telephone book in half the way she does. Nice historical footage.

Good acting and directing make the 69 minute running time fly by. Catch it if you can.