24 reviews
Brisk, efficient British post-War crime melodrama set in London - part of the 'Spiv' movie cycle(films with roots in 30s American Gangster movies, featuring characters profiting from wartime rationing in a similar fashion to 30s bootleggers, but not so clearly glamorised as their Stateside equivalents - see also the superior NOOSE). Richard Attenborough stars as former soldier, Ted Peters, now making a living as a London cab-driver who becomes involved with a criminal gang headed by dance hall owner and criminal mastermind Mr Gregory (the seriously undervalued Barry Jones), whose henchman and M.C. Paul Baker (Barry K. Barnes) has offed Ted's childhood friend and former army buddy Dave Robinson (Bill Rowbotham, better known to U.K. audiences as Bill Owen, star of long-running U.K. T.V comedy series LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE). At Ted's behest, his girlfriend Joy (Sheila Sim) gets a job as a dancehall hostess in Gregory's dance hall as part of Ted's attempts to expose the criminal gang and the true nature of the crime lord's enterprise is gradually exposed. Punchily directed by John Paddy Carstairs, and redolent with post-War atmosphere, this is another example of the type of popular genre fare which entertained U.K. audiences in the 40s at the same time as the now revered 'noir' movies similarly engaged their U.S. contemporaries. Deserving wider acclaim, the movies from this post-War U.K. genre are valid, and diverting, social documents which often gave early exposure to burgeoning talents (in this instance, an uncredited brunette Diana Dors and a 'blink and you'll miss him' Dirk Bogarde) and should, by rights, be as revered in their country of origin as the more celebrated and documented U.S. post-War crime movies. Worth checking out, if you get the chance.
Compo from "Last of the Summer Wine" obviously loved the East End and probably made friends with Chas 'n' Dave. That's why I saw them play at Holmfirth. It was where Summer Wine was filmed – the friendship link is complete. Compo is an East end gangster in this film. He's short in stature and makes an unconvincing tough guy. He would have been flattened in his fight scene at the beginning of the film. The same goes for his ex-army buddy, Richard Attenborough (Ted), Again, this short person would have been flattened in both his fight scenes. The fights are badly staged and very fake.
There's a criminal gang running a dancehall and carrying out robberies and Dickie short-arse meddles in their affairs so he can get to the truth behind his pal Compo's demise. Guess what – he succeeds. Standard good guy v bad guy stuff. The most interesting moments of the film for me occur in the dancehall where Diana Dors hangs out. Singer and dancehall girl Judy Kelly (Toni) is the best of the cast. What is it with people cutting in on other men dancing with a girl by tapping them on the shoulder and stealing their girl away? No way! This would be disastrous and cause non-stop scuffling. I hear this was an American custom introduced in films. I can't believe this actually happened! Any info on this ludicrous concept would be greatly appreciated.
There's a criminal gang running a dancehall and carrying out robberies and Dickie short-arse meddles in their affairs so he can get to the truth behind his pal Compo's demise. Guess what – he succeeds. Standard good guy v bad guy stuff. The most interesting moments of the film for me occur in the dancehall where Diana Dors hangs out. Singer and dancehall girl Judy Kelly (Toni) is the best of the cast. What is it with people cutting in on other men dancing with a girl by tapping them on the shoulder and stealing their girl away? No way! This would be disastrous and cause non-stop scuffling. I hear this was an American custom introduced in films. I can't believe this actually happened! Any info on this ludicrous concept would be greatly appreciated.
- malcolmgsw
- May 19, 2015
- Permalink
Terrific to see the future Lord Attenborough in his cinematic infancy.
Add to its historical value the fact that it is an interesting story, well done by one and all that holds your attention from start to finish.
Convoluted plotting that is not so twisted that one gets lost in the minutia.
Reading the IMDb trivia explains the chemistry between the "boy and girl"... they were married in real life the and stayed married for decades.
Film is worth finding and checking out. I.
Add to its historical value the fact that it is an interesting story, well done by one and all that holds your attention from start to finish.
Convoluted plotting that is not so twisted that one gets lost in the minutia.
Reading the IMDb trivia explains the chemistry between the "boy and girl"... they were married in real life the and stayed married for decades.
Film is worth finding and checking out. I.
Ted Peters (Richard Attenborough) plays a London cab driver who finds a friend of his dead in the back of his cab in "Dancing with Crime" from 1947.
Dirk Bogarde and Diana Dors were in this film, but I didn't see them. They were both uncredited.
Ted's friend was involved in some shady dealings. Much of the activity is traced to a dance hall, run by Paul Baker (Barry K. Barnes), and Ted's girlfriend (Sheila Sim) takes a job there in order to spy. Of course, Ted is supposed to stay out of it and let the police do their job, but then, we wouldn't have a movie.
The problem is, the criminals think Ted knows too much and are after him. Is Joy's cover safe?
The best part was seeing Attenborough in the fight scenes - he was a small man, and the script had him throwing people over his head, kicking his feet into them from the ground, all sorts of things. He was like Superman.
Run of the mill melodrama, but I still enjoyed it.
Dirk Bogarde and Diana Dors were in this film, but I didn't see them. They were both uncredited.
Ted's friend was involved in some shady dealings. Much of the activity is traced to a dance hall, run by Paul Baker (Barry K. Barnes), and Ted's girlfriend (Sheila Sim) takes a job there in order to spy. Of course, Ted is supposed to stay out of it and let the police do their job, but then, we wouldn't have a movie.
The problem is, the criminals think Ted knows too much and are after him. Is Joy's cover safe?
The best part was seeing Attenborough in the fight scenes - he was a small man, and the script had him throwing people over his head, kicking his feet into them from the ground, all sorts of things. He was like Superman.
Run of the mill melodrama, but I still enjoyed it.
Not really the best title for this ordinary British crime-noir, but Richard Attenborough ("Ted") and Shiela Sim ("Joy") put in a decent effort. He is a London taxi driver who finds himself embroiled in some criminal activities when his wartime friend is found murdered. The trail leads both him and the police to a nightclub run by "Gregory" (Barry Jones) and his MC "Baker" (Barry K. Barnes). The pair decide that "Joy" may be able to help their investigation by taking a job as an hostess at the club, but is she putting herself and him in even more danger as the gang soon realise that they are onto them? This packs quite a bit into eighty minutes and both at the top of the bill do their jobs efficiently - as does the under-stated Jones. The ending is a bit weakly predictable and it rather dialogue heavy, but it's still quite a watchable afternoon feature with a bit of menace, a little humour and a fine collection of hats!
- CinemaSerf
- Nov 11, 2022
- Permalink
Ted (Richard Attenborough) and Joy grew up with Dave and have remained friends with him....not close friends, but friends. Dave invites them to come to his club and later asks Ted to work with him. Ted assumes Dave is involved in some shady work and politely declines. A short time after this, one of Ted's 'associates' leaves him for dead in the back of Dave's taxi! Now the police do not suspect Ted...but the mobsters who killed Dave think perhaps Dave might have said SOMETHING to Ted before he died. So, they are now looking for Ted...and Ted is trying to find them because the police can't always be there.
This is a GENERALLY good movie, though one part irritated me because it didn't seem realistic and defied common sense. In this scene, two goons are going to kill Ted...and at gunpoint they tell Ted this. Ted is a scrappy guy and manages to beat up BOTH the thugs. BUT, and this annoyed me, he didn't pick up the gun, he didn't tie up the thugs (or shoot their kneecaps to keep them from running away) and proceeds to the police station. Why not call the police and have them meet him at this hideout? Why not give the police the attempted murderers?! If someone was going to murder me and I was able to subdue them, I certainly wouldn't leave to go look for the coppers! It's sad, as otherwise this is a nice little drama. Tense and very interesting to see a nice 'every man' pulled into this messy business. But I must deduct at least a point because of this one sloppily handled scene.
This is a GENERALLY good movie, though one part irritated me because it didn't seem realistic and defied common sense. In this scene, two goons are going to kill Ted...and at gunpoint they tell Ted this. Ted is a scrappy guy and manages to beat up BOTH the thugs. BUT, and this annoyed me, he didn't pick up the gun, he didn't tie up the thugs (or shoot their kneecaps to keep them from running away) and proceeds to the police station. Why not call the police and have them meet him at this hideout? Why not give the police the attempted murderers?! If someone was going to murder me and I was able to subdue them, I certainly wouldn't leave to go look for the coppers! It's sad, as otherwise this is a nice little drama. Tense and very interesting to see a nice 'every man' pulled into this messy business. But I must deduct at least a point because of this one sloppily handled scene.
- planktonrules
- May 16, 2024
- Permalink
- hwg1957-102-265704
- Sep 22, 2022
- Permalink
This had to have been one of Richard Attenborough's first films, as he appears a bit raw, but still very dynamic in this British crime drama. He plays Ted Peters, a hack driver who gets involved with a dance hall gang.
Barry Jones plays the head gangster convincingly. One of his henchmen, Paul Baker, is a lifelong friend of Ted. Paul gets Ted involved in a mess that leads to some very dangerous situations.
Ted's girlfriend, Joy, played by Sheila Sim (any relation to Alister Sim?) is very convincing as well. Scotland Yard becomes involved and the usual noir dance ends with a crescendo of violence. Entertaining.
Barry Jones plays the head gangster convincingly. One of his henchmen, Paul Baker, is a lifelong friend of Ted. Paul gets Ted involved in a mess that leads to some very dangerous situations.
Ted's girlfriend, Joy, played by Sheila Sim (any relation to Alister Sim?) is very convincing as well. Scotland Yard becomes involved and the usual noir dance ends with a crescendo of violence. Entertaining.
- arthur_tafero
- Jul 1, 2024
- Permalink
(1947) Dancing with Crime
SUSPENSE THRILLER
It has young couple of cabbie, Ted Peters (Richard Attenborough) and his fiance, Joy Goodall (Sheila Sim) meeting an old school chum Dave Robinson (Bill Rowbotham) for a drink. Dave then offers Ted another means of making more dough than his life as a cabbie. And then one day, upon dropping his friend off at a club, Ted then decides to pick up a few things for his girlfriend Joy. Meanwhile, Dave is having some money disputes with the owner of the nightclub, Mr. Gregory (Barry Jones) who was attempting to low ball his cut. And as a result of running away, Mr Gregory's right hand man, Paul Baker (Barry K. Barnes) attempts to shoot and kill him with a pistol, and he manages to escape back into back seat of Ted's cab. Except that Dave was already been shot, attempting to run away, and upon Ted picking up his girlfriend, Dave fell out pronounced dead. Inspector Carter (John Warwick) is assigned to the case along with his assistant, Det Sgt Murray (Garry Marsh). Ted of course, goes on the prowl to catch his friend's killer, along with the help of his girlfriend Joy posing as a dance hostess for the nightclub to find out what she can.
Depicts a time when there was such thing as 'dancing hostesses' where young girls are employed to dance with random strangers in nightclubs. Something I had no idea that used to be a thing back then, which must have been something that happened during WWII, as this movie was made back in 1947, and that the war ended back in 1945.
It has young couple of cabbie, Ted Peters (Richard Attenborough) and his fiance, Joy Goodall (Sheila Sim) meeting an old school chum Dave Robinson (Bill Rowbotham) for a drink. Dave then offers Ted another means of making more dough than his life as a cabbie. And then one day, upon dropping his friend off at a club, Ted then decides to pick up a few things for his girlfriend Joy. Meanwhile, Dave is having some money disputes with the owner of the nightclub, Mr. Gregory (Barry Jones) who was attempting to low ball his cut. And as a result of running away, Mr Gregory's right hand man, Paul Baker (Barry K. Barnes) attempts to shoot and kill him with a pistol, and he manages to escape back into back seat of Ted's cab. Except that Dave was already been shot, attempting to run away, and upon Ted picking up his girlfriend, Dave fell out pronounced dead. Inspector Carter (John Warwick) is assigned to the case along with his assistant, Det Sgt Murray (Garry Marsh). Ted of course, goes on the prowl to catch his friend's killer, along with the help of his girlfriend Joy posing as a dance hostess for the nightclub to find out what she can.
Depicts a time when there was such thing as 'dancing hostesses' where young girls are employed to dance with random strangers in nightclubs. Something I had no idea that used to be a thing back then, which must have been something that happened during WWII, as this movie was made back in 1947, and that the war ended back in 1945.
- jordondave-28085
- Jun 3, 2023
- Permalink
Not much mystery here as the crime and perpetrator is known from the start so more of a how-will-they-catch-him than a who-dunnit. Still, there is charm in the setting: a dancehall where girls work to dance with patrons serves as a cover for the HQ of the local kingpin: an aristocratic yet particularly wily chap, who seems to smuggle gin and trade in 'surplus' goods, among other things. Innocents get swept up in the milieu and, though painted as too goody-goody, have a close brush with both the criminal and police world which toughens them up a bit. Barry K. Barnes plays the kingpin's chief henchman and delivers a subtle psychopathic gentleman killer vibe. There is some nice framing here and there, plus you get 1947 London, and its various pubs and characters , which helps sustain the film through its lulls (here and there), and the ending has its own minor twists. Other little highlights are scenes with Richard Attenborough and Diana Dors. I can't say it held my full attention 100% throughout but I am not regretful about having seen it - just 83 mins long! It's an alright movie if you are looking for a quite gentle noir in an unusual setting and a little but not too much excitement.
- declancooley
- Apr 29, 2022
- Permalink
This film sounded interesting from the subject matter, especially the dance-hall setting: and there is some good acting from the 'heavies', Barry K. Barnes as Paul Baker, the suave, good-looking and dangerous master of ceremonies, and Barry Jones as 'Mr Gregory', the mind behind the scenes. Unfortunately I didn't find the young hero and heroine particularly involving -- they are basically blank spots in the script marked "Generic Virtuous Character" -- and as the plot begins to be twisted in their favour with more and more incredulity-straining coincidences I found my tolerance decreasing. Diana Dors catches the eye in an unbilled (and for all that surprisingly prominent) part as one of the 'professional partners' at the dance hall, and various character actors do their reliable stuff. There are moments of genuine tension: but, alas, for me at least they always involved conflict between the villains rather than the endangerment of Our Heroes which was supposed to provide excitement. I'm afraid I got much more worried by Toni Masters' possible fate at the hands of a psychotic lorry-driver -- since she is a Bad Girl and therefore has some actual character conflict -- than by a punch-up involving Ted Peters, who is bound to win by some total fluke anyhow.
The film looked promising at the start, but I failed to get involved and ended up feeling manipulated instead.
The film looked promising at the start, but I failed to get involved and ended up feeling manipulated instead.
- Igenlode Wordsmith
- Nov 7, 2012
- Permalink
- jamesraeburn2003
- Aug 15, 2018
- Permalink
- Leofwine_draca
- Oct 21, 2018
- Permalink
When John Mills got out of the army, he drove a cab. Old pal Bill Owen tries to put him onto a safe racket, but Mills says he and his girl, Sheila Sim, prefer the steady way. So when Owen winds up with his corpse dumped in Mills' cab, he informs the police. Since they aren't forthcoming about their progress, Mills and Miss Sim investigate on their own.... and find it more dangerous than in the movies.
Reliable John Paddy Carstairs directs this low-lit crime drama, shot in grimy, rainy London, with a nice mixture of dark swindles and good humor among the police about the amateur detective. Barry K, Barnes, near the end of his screen career, is excellent as the chief bad guy, and if you look fast you can see Diana Dors and Dirk Bogarde in brief, uncredited roles, before their careers took off. It's not a world-beTer, but it is atmospheric, and takes a few unexpected turns.
Reliable John Paddy Carstairs directs this low-lit crime drama, shot in grimy, rainy London, with a nice mixture of dark swindles and good humor among the police about the amateur detective. Barry K, Barnes, near the end of his screen career, is excellent as the chief bad guy, and if you look fast you can see Diana Dors and Dirk Bogarde in brief, uncredited roles, before their careers took off. It's not a world-beTer, but it is atmospheric, and takes a few unexpected turns.
- JohnHowardReid
- Jan 21, 2017
- Permalink
- writers_reign
- Oct 20, 2018
- Permalink
Worth it for the post-war background. The 50s "New Look" hadn't happened yet and all the girls have big hair and big shoulders - much more flattering than the 50s fashions that made everyone look middle-aged.
Richard Attenborough and Sheila Sim are likeable. They get involved in investigating the murder of their friend, a young, dashing Bill Owen.
It's a shame Diana Dors wasn't credited. She was good in her early roles - she turns up in another dance hall with Petula Clark and Bonar Colleano. I think she was dubbed in both films, though.
To the gentleman who thought it terribly rude that some other bloke could just grab your partner - it was called an "excuse me" dance. There was also a "ladies excuse me". This is not a regular Palais de Dance, however - the girls are all professional hostesses.
Richard Attenborough and Sheila Sim are likeable. They get involved in investigating the murder of their friend, a young, dashing Bill Owen.
It's a shame Diana Dors wasn't credited. She was good in her early roles - she turns up in another dance hall with Petula Clark and Bonar Colleano. I think she was dubbed in both films, though.
To the gentleman who thought it terribly rude that some other bloke could just grab your partner - it was called an "excuse me" dance. There was also a "ladies excuse me". This is not a regular Palais de Dance, however - the girls are all professional hostesses.
John Paddy Carstairs is not exactly the type of director I would normally associate with film noir, though some might argue that SLEEPING CAR TO TRIESTE (1948) fits that bill as much as DANCING WITH CRIME, and both are films of considerable quality. Carstairs I tend to connect more with the Norman Wisdom slapstick comedies of the 1950s and DANCING WITH CRIME is not without its comic moments.
Lamentably, baby-faced Richard Attenborough strikes me as too young and puny for his part. His fisticuffs with a couple of other fellows did not convince me, with quite a few clearly fake punches thrown in. That said, he comes across as quite likable, the main minuses being that he did not look like a soldier recently out of WWII action, too young to pair off with pretty Sheila Sim, and he disappears from the action for about 10' at a crucial point about three quarters into the flick.
Barry Barnes as the scheming and evil Baker warrants close attention but it is Barry Jones who steals the show as the slippery and clever top villain, who even gets to successfully impersonate a police inspector and so con Attenborough into disclosing some privileged information. Garry Marsh also plays with considerable verve and humor the role of Detective Sergeant Murray.
Typically competent cinematography, solid script, sharp dialogue.
Definitely worth watching.
Lamentably, baby-faced Richard Attenborough strikes me as too young and puny for his part. His fisticuffs with a couple of other fellows did not convince me, with quite a few clearly fake punches thrown in. That said, he comes across as quite likable, the main minuses being that he did not look like a soldier recently out of WWII action, too young to pair off with pretty Sheila Sim, and he disappears from the action for about 10' at a crucial point about three quarters into the flick.
Barry Barnes as the scheming and evil Baker warrants close attention but it is Barry Jones who steals the show as the slippery and clever top villain, who even gets to successfully impersonate a police inspector and so con Attenborough into disclosing some privileged information. Garry Marsh also plays with considerable verve and humor the role of Detective Sergeant Murray.
Typically competent cinematography, solid script, sharp dialogue.
Definitely worth watching.
- adrianovasconcelos
- Jul 16, 2022
- Permalink
An interesting film depicting a time long gone which could cause viewers to start coughing due the huge amount of cigarette smoke everywhere. Not much, if anything, to criticise in this film which runs along very nicely with nice goodies and very bad baddies.
The actions of the main male and female characters were unwise a lot of the time but without their unwise actions there would have been no film to watch.
Richard Attenborough has never been in a bad film, except perhaps the later Jurassic offerings, so his films are usually a safe bet to watch as he seldom disappoints, he must have been very picky as he is only ever seen in well written and well made films.
The actions of the main male and female characters were unwise a lot of the time but without their unwise actions there would have been no film to watch.
Richard Attenborough has never been in a bad film, except perhaps the later Jurassic offerings, so his films are usually a safe bet to watch as he seldom disappoints, he must have been very picky as he is only ever seen in well written and well made films.
- jarrodmcdonald-1
- Jan 4, 2024
- Permalink