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.

Radio Cab Murder is well made, low budget B film starring Jimmy Hanley as taxi driver who sees a bank being robbed and gives chase.

However it turns out that Hanley is an ex-con safe cracker who has attempted to go straight. The police think he has all the credentials to infiltrate the gang and they conspire to have him fired from his job.

However the gang leader is cunning and it seems always one step ahead of the police and Hanley.

There are several twists and turns, the film has enough suspense. Hanley is an amiable lead, several well known faces pop up such as Sam Kydd and Frank Thornton.

Amateurish low budget British crime yarn about a former safe-cracker turned cabbie who agrees to help the London police apprehend a robbery racket. There are a lot of moving parts to this which makes the movie somewhat interesting including a good chase scene through the streets of London - though you can't help but wonder where the police are! The acting isn't bad with Sonia Holm in the bad girl role particularly good. The scenes where the cab company is trying to locate the missing cab actually gets pretty funny -- 'where are you now?' It's predictably corny but still an enjoyable time waster.

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 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.