Chain of Events

One thing leads to another might be an apt description of this film. Bank clerk, bus stop, trolley bus, magistrates court, newspaper reporter, blackmail, and so on, eventually ending up at the bus stop again. Nice to see all those old favourite actors again. Incidentally the music used in the opening and closing credits is 'Automation' by Dutch composer Hugo de Groot which was also used in the 1950s BBC TV police series 'Fabian of the Yard'.

A little gem that should not be missed when it appears on TV. A great plot which runs along very nicely, I loved it.

If producer Peter Rogers hadn't already just used it for one of the thrillers he and director Gerald Thomas made before they hit paydirt with the 'Carry Ons' (at least three actors who featured in the early 'Carry Ons' - Frank Forsyth, Cyril Chamberlain & Anthony Sagar - appear within the first ten minutes of this film), 'The Vicious Circle' would have been a more suitable title for this diverting little drama which resembles a less bleak version of 'On the Night of the Fire' and 'Very Bad Things', in which events spiral outwards in unforeseen ways like ripples rather than form a simple chain.

Although buses no longer have conductors, a remarkable amount of the film has proved remarkably unchanged, notably the arguments that still break out when someone hasn't paid their fare on a bus, and the amoral opportunism of tabloid journalists when they sniff a juicy story...

Rather tame and unconvincing in parts but worth watching for a nice performance by Kenneth Griffiths, who is the stand out actor. Features cameo performances from Ballard Berkeley (the major in Fawlty Towers) and ex. boxer, Freddie Mills. The moral of the story seems to be that avoiding paying a bus fair can lead to dreadful goings on.

Splendid film showing how a small action by one person can cause huge consequences to others, the butterfly effect basically.

Besides the plots, what is most enjoyable in British films of this period is trying to recognise the locations and seeing the wonderful old vehicles used. This, together with spotting the character actors especially those uncredited, makes for a thoroughly entertaining hour or two. This is an entertaining film with good cast and well paced. Susan Shaw always looks stunning and it is sad that the death of her husband caused her to drink and subsequently die at an early age. Freddie Mills is always good value but also had a tragic end in real life.

Filmed mainly around Uxbridge High Street, Windsor Street and Tube Station together with some footage of Station Parade, Beaconsfield and Hyde Park Place, it is fascinating to see how places have changed over the years. This is not always for the best.

The vehicles involved include a rather nice Bentley R Type, Drop Head Coupe which is still extant albeit with new paintwork, a Hillman Husky which probably rusted away completely very quickly as that model was prone to do and a wonderful Standard Flying 14 which I would love to have owned.

Altogether well worth watching.