Cash on Demand

From Hammer Films, "Cash on Demand" is a good thriller from 1961.

It's Christmas week, and in the office of City & Colonial Bank in Haversham, it's a quiet day. The small staff is managed by Harry Fordyce (Peter Cushing), a business-only nerd who exudes no warmth, no holiday spirit, and does not fraternize with the help. He won't even let the staff put up Christmas decorations.

Today there is a ten pound discrepancy and he's making a big hullabaloo about it, even though the error was spotted.

In walks Colonel Gore Hepburn (Andre Morrell), who represents the bank insurance company. He is doing a surprise inspection of the security. When he's alone with Fordyce, he informs him that he's a thief, there to steal the bank's money, and that he's holding Fordyce's wife and child hostage. One signal from the window, and they're done with.

Hepburn has the robbery planned down to the second, and Fordyce must play along. In the outer office, Hepburn acts like an efficient man, checking out the floor signals. Fordyce is a wreck but tries not to show it. He carries out all of his instructions, which include putting the money into suitcases (Hepburn's "luggage").

Very suspenseful film, and one wonders if Hepburn will be able to get away with the robbery, and if Fordyce will be implicated in any way.

Peter Cushing is tremendous in the role of Fordyce, cold, stern, and highly disciplined, living a life where there are no shades of gray and mistakes are not permitted. As Hepburn, Andre Morell is excellent, charming even when he's talking about the most deadly things.

The ending is a little rushed and a tiny bit confusing, but the story is a nice little take on "A Christmas Carol" with Scrooge Fordyce learning a few life lessons. Highly recommended. I saw this on a double disc with "Stop Me Before I Kill."

Out of Hammer Film Productions, Cash on Demand is directed by Quentin Lawrence and adapted to screenplay by David Chantler & Lewis Greifer from a play by Jacques Gillies. It stars Peter Cushing, Andre Morell, Richard Vernon, Norman Bird and Kevin Stoney. Music is by Wilfred Josephs and photography by Arthur Grant.

Hammer's Xmas movie has a kick and half.

In the opening section of Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction", robber in waiting Tim Roth tells his lover, Amanda Plummer, about how a guy robbed a bank with just a telephone. This principal is the core of Hammer's majestic "Cash on Demand", an intense, tightly constructed thriller that also provides proof positive of the acting talents of Peter Cushing, Andre Morell & Richard Vernon.

With minimal budget to work from and operating out of practically one set, director Lawrence gets the maximum suspense out of script with no blood letting or overt violence. This is very much about eloquent verbal sparring, the terror is in what might happen should Cushing's (superbly shifting of the acting gears as the plot unfolds) martinet bank manager not tow the slick line being drawn by Morel's (brilliantly playing his cards close to his chest) crafty thief.

A real gem and a pleasant surprise, both in technical merits and outcome of story. Highly recommended to all serious fans of Classic British Cinema. 9/10

Quentin Lawrence directed this good crime thriller that stars Peter Cushing as Harry Fordyce, a bank manager who is introduced to an insurance investigator named Hepburn(played by Andre Morel) on the 23 of December. Ostensibly there to check security, he is really a ruthless and cunning thief who has an elaborate plan to rob the bank, and needs Fordyce's cooperation to pull it off, so convinces him that he holds his family hostage, and will have them murdered by his associates if he doesn't signal to them his agreeing to help. Fordyce decides to cooperate, all the while trying to find a way out... Fine film with two stellar performances, especially Cushing, who proves that he can act quite well outside the horror genre he was best known for.

This delightful little low-budget film is one of Hammer's least-known efforts and also one of their best. The story is a reworking of "A Christmas Carol", as Peter Cushing's bank manager, a cold and austere man, and a petty tyrant to his staff, goes through a terrible experience which leads him to change his ways. Cushing is quite superb as the manager and Andre Morell almost as good as the urbane thief who controls events until the denouement. The plot twists and turns and the writing is first-class.

Harry Fordyce is an exacting and priggish man, the manager of the City & Colonial Bank. He holds himself to a high standard, and demands the same of his staff. One day, a fellow by the name of Colonel Gore Hepburn arrives, claiming he is an insurance investigator who needs to survey the bank. However, it transpires Hepburn is in fact a cunning thief, who plots to manipulate Fordyce into helping him rob the safe. So begins a tense ordeal for Fordyce, the results of which are as unexpected as they are thrilling, in Quentin Lawrence's 'Cash on Demand.'

Based on 'The Gold Inside,' written by Jacques Gillies and featured on Theatre 70 in 1960, 'Cash on Demand' is a taut thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout its' run. David T. Chantler and Lewis Greifer's screenplay is terrific, featuring thoroughly believable characters, strong dialogue and much suspense. The initially aloof Fordyce is a particularly well-written creation, the character arc of whom is most understated and realistic. The terrifying journey Hepburn takes him on is one of high anxiety that will change him forever; and one which makes for an exciting experience for the viewer.

The film is produced by Hammer Film Productions, and was clearly a low-budget effort- the few, sparsely decorated sets being the clearest indication of this. However, it's a lovely looking flick nevertheless. Arthur Grant's black and white cinematography is striking, adding to the proceedings an atmosphere of film-noir. Grant primarily worked on horror films, and his work was always assured, stylish and memorable. 'Cash on Demand' may not be what he is best remembered for, but his efforts resulted in a distinct and beautiful looking movie that is a highlight of his filmography all the same.

The film also benefits from an evocative Wilfred Josephs' score, which adds supplementary tension to the already taut goings-on. Often, Hammer films suffered from overblown musical scores that robbed scenes of natural impact and drama. Josephs' is understated and effective in all the right measures. Additionally, editor Eric Boyd-Perkins' work is admirable, keeping the film's pace brisk, but not hectically so.

The late, great Peter Cushing stars as Fordyce, giving a performance of sagacity, vulnerability and depth. The heist situation forces the character to go on a journey of self-discovery, and he plays that out faultlessly. Like his dear friend Christopher Lee, Cushing was often pigeon-holed as "just a horror film actor" (particularly in the 60's and 70's) despite his great range. Though perhaps best remembered nowadays for his role in 'Star Wars' and as Van Helsing- and maybe by a few for his turn as Sherlock Holmes- in 'Cash on Demand' he gives a performance that is nothing less than a masterclass in acting; one which deserves to be lauded and more widely known.

Opposite Cushing stars André Morell as Hepburn, the villain of the piece. Morell also played the role in 'The Gold Inside,' and makes Hepburn a charming rogue that you can't help but feel a certain fondness towards. He and Cushing work together wonderfully, and the supporting cast deliver equally impressive performances- Richard Vernon in particular. Vernon plays Pearson, the head clerk of the bank, and is most natural, performing with an unpretentious ease.

'Cash on Demand' is a suspenseful thriller that borders on the film noir and will surely delight any who watch it. Featuring a fine screenplay and story, the film is unpredictable and tense. Benefitting from two excellent performances from Peter Cushing and André Morell, as well as an atmospheric Wilfred Josephs' score; it's a very memorable experience. It may be a low-budget affair, but 'Cash on Demand' is utterly grand.