Hangman's Wharf

I'm inserting reviews for films that currently lack one, this deserved rarity, not yet got 5 votes, has recently been shown on UK satellite channel Talking Pictures, where I saw it, so should become better known, note their 'restored' print is about 56 min' so is missing some 16 min' (ajusting for different cinema / TV frame rates) of the original, review.... 'Flimsy plot involving a doctor framed for murder and a female journalist, together they attempt to sort out what's happening, not helped by an average cast, and below average plot that's full of holes, but (in this version) it's short, and though mostly studio bound, there are a few interesting exteriors, some dockyard scenes, the Albert Memorial, and a West coast fishing village, watchable if you like old British films, otherwise avoid.'

OK, first of all you have to accept that the accents here - ostensibly Scots (?) are all o'er the place. John Witty plays a doctor ("Galloway" not "Finlay") who is summoned to a ship late at night on a hoax visit; on his way home again he narrowly escapes death from a falling oil drum by the timely intervention of Genine Graham and they both become embroiled in an investigation of murder and intrigue. It's based on a BBC serial and the production values are maybe a bit higher than you might expect. Campbell Singer (who always seems to pop us as a jovial Scotland Yard inspector) is quite good; and you might recognise Patricia Laffan as the wife of the baddie (she played "Poppaea in "Quo Vadis" one year later).

Based on a radio serial, hence all the talk in this amiably inept E. J. Fancey quickie for which ample use of authentic locations and night-for-photography, an attractive and capable heroine in Genine Graham and a poised villainess in Patricia Laffan go some way to atoning for John Witty's spectacularly feeble attempt at a Scots accent.

But not much.

This has the typical British b movie feel about it, I can imagine it being shown secondary to some marvellous thriller.

The story starts off with a lot of intrigue, but sadly as it starts to build, it does genuinely lose all focus, leaving you as a viewer wondering how on Earth that boat vanished, and just how on Earth those gunmen managed not to spot the ingenious hiding place of their intended victims, neither was none too bright.

It's very short, short enough for you not to get bored and wander off to do the dishes, I did like the chemistry between Galloway and Alison, she pulls some amusing faces, sadly not as funny as her Patrician interpretation of an Inverness accent.

Despite my few criticisms I did rather enjoy it, it filled a wet February afternoon. 6/10

If you enjoy British "b" movies from the 50s, try and catch this little effort. It's quite laughably bad, which makes it all the more entertaining. The basic plot, and the way it all pans out, is bargain basement stuff, and some of the acting is quite hilarious. The main character, Dr Galloway, played by John Witty sports the worst, and most inconsistent, scots accent you are ever likely to hear. Similarly, his co-star, Genine Graham's character is supposed to hail from Inverness, but sounds as though she's just left an English boarding school. The main baddie's henchmen are a real hoot - one is full of forced menace, and the other would have trouble scaring a three year old! The movie does move along briskly, and doesn't give the viewer time to become bored. In it's own amateurish, unsophisticated way it's got a certain charm and is harmless stuff. Just the thing to while away a quick hour for fans of such films.