Code of Scotland Yard
| Code of Scotland Yard | |
|---|---|
.jpg) French poster by Boris Grinsson | |
| Directed by | George King |
| Screenplay by | Reginald Long Katherine Strueby |
| Based on | The Shop at Sly Corner by Edward Percy |
| Produced by | George King |
| Starring | Oskar Homolka Muriel Pavlow Derek Farr |
| Cinematography | Hone Glendinning |
| Edited by | Manuel del Campo |
| Music by | George Melachrino |
Production company | Pennant Pictures |
| Distributed by | British Lion Films (UK) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 91 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Languages | English, Italian |
| Budget | £76,715[1] |
| Box office | £140,694 (UK)[2] |
Code of Scotland Yard is a 1947 British crime film directed by George King and starring Oskar Homolka, Muriel Pavlow and Derek Farr. It was originally released as The Shop at Sly Corner, being based on the popular stage play of that title by Edward Percy.[3][4]
Synopsis
[edit]A French antique dealer lives a comfortable life in London. He cares only for his daughter, who is trying to become a professional concert violinist. When his shop assistant discovers that much of his money comes from fencing stolen goods he attempts to blackmail the Frenchman.
Cast
[edit]- Oskar Homolka as Descius Heiss
- Derek Farr as Robert Graham
- Muriel Pavlow as Margaret Heiss
- Manning Whiley as Corder Morris
- Kathleen Harrison as Mrs Catt
- Garry Marsh as Major Elliot
- Kenneth Griffith as Archie Fellowes
- Jan Van Loewen as Professor Vanetti
- Irene Handl as Ruby Towser
- Johnnie Schofield as Inspector Robson
- Diana Dors as Mildred
- Katie Johnson as Woman in Shop
- Vi Kaley as Flower Seller
- David Keir as Gentleman Customer
- James Knight as Publican
- Eliot Makeham as Theatre Usher
Original play
[edit]The film was based on a play by Edward Percy, a Conservative MP.[5] It debuted in London in May 1945. Variety called it "good theatre".[6]
It ran for over two years.[7] The London production only cost $12,000 and made a sizeable profit for its investors.[8]
The play was produced on Broadway with Boris Karloff in 1949 but only ran seven performances.[9]
BBC TV version
[edit]The play was adapted for BBC TV in 1946.[10]
Production
[edit]Film rights were bought by British Lion in May 1945.[11] It would be one of the first three films made by Alexander Korda under his new deal with British Lion, the others being A Man about the House and Nightbeat.
Oscar Homolka was imported from the USA to star.[12]
George King was to make A Lady was to Die but delayed that to make this movie. Filming started at 6 August 1946.[13] It was shot at Isleworth Studios.[14] The film's sets were designed by the art director Bernard Robinson.
It was the film debut of Diana Dors. According to film reviewer Stephen Vagg, "The part was an ideal way to start out – the girlfriend of a slimy blackmailer – and Diana had 'it' from the start; looks, warmth, appeal".[15]
Muriel Pavlow and Derek Farr, who played lovers in the film, were married shortly after filming.[16]
Critical reception
[edit]Variety reported that the "film gathers pace and is truly cinematic in the second half, but the first part is deadly slow and too explanatory without explaining much. More, too, should have been made of the romance between the two young lovers."[17] TV Guide described it as an "interesting melodrama rich with character, thanks to the excellent performance by Homolka and a uniformly fine British cast."[18]
Box Office
[edit]As of 30 June 1949 the film earned £124,197 in the UK of which £92,877 went to the producer.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Chapman, J. (2022). The Money Behind the Screen: A History of British Film Finance, 1945-1985. Edinburgh University Press p 354
- ^ Vincent Porter, 'The Robert Clark Account', Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, Vol 20 No 4, 2000 p483
- ^ "The Shop at Sly Corner". IMDb. 24 October 1948.
- ^ "Code of Scotland Yard (1947) – Trailers, Reviews, Synopsis, Showtimes and Cast". AllMovie. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
- ^ "Playwrights' Pleas for Tax Aid". The Age. No. 28, 442. Victoria, Australia. 21 June 1946. p. 1. Retrieved 21 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Review of 1945 London play at Variety
- ^ "Theatre Slumps In Britain: Plea For Tax Cut". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 34, 161. 18 June 1947. p. 3. Retrieved 21 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ LOUIS CALTA (28 June 1947). "Robert Reud Plans Production of 'O Coward Heart' and 'Duet for Two Hands'". New York Times. p. 10.
- ^ LOUIS CALTA (20 January 1949). "KARLOFF VEHICLE CLOSES SATURDAY: 'Shop at Sly Corner' to End After 7 Performances -- 'Mr. Meadowbrook' to Leave". New York Times. p. 34.
- ^ "AUTHORS COMPLAIN OF "NIGGARDLY" BROADCAST FEES: B.B.C. STATEMENT B.B.C. Says Higher Terms Are to be Offered". The Manchester Guardian. 30 May 1947. p. 5.
- ^ "Chatter". Variety. 2 May 1945. p. 63.
- ^ "Hollywood stars form a colony in England". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 14, no. 15. 21 September 1946. p. 40. Retrieved 21 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "London". Variety. 24 July 1946. p. 63.
- ^ "Time slowed its march". The Daily Telegraph. Vol. VII, no. 46. New South Wales, Australia. 29 September 1946. p. 29. Retrieved 21 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Vagg, Stephen (7 September 2020). "A Tale of Two Blondes: Diana Dors and Belinda Lee". Filmink.
- ^ "Film Stars Married". Morning Bulletin. No. 26, 710. Queensland, Australia. 27 January 1947. p. 1. Retrieved 21 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Review of film at Variety
- ^ "Code Of Scotland Yard Review". Movies.tvguide.com. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
External links
[edit]- Code of Scotland Yard at IMDb
- The Shop at Sly Corner at Letterbox DVD
- The Shop at Sly Corner at BFI
- Complete film at Internet Archive