Behind the Headlines (1953 film)

Not to be confused with Behind the Headlines (1937 film) or Behind the Headlines (1956 film).

Behind the Headlines
Directed byMaclean Rogers
Written byMaclean Rogers
Produced byEdwin J. Fancey
Starring
CinematographyGeoffrey Faithfull
Edited byRobert Higgins
Production
company
E.J. Fancey Productions
Distributed byNew Realm Pictures
Release date
  • 9 October 1953 (1953-10-09)
Running time
53 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Behind the Headlines is a 1953 British second feature ('B')[1] semi-documentary crime film directed and written by Maclean Rogers and starring Gilbert Harding, John Fitzgerald and Adrienne Fancey.[2]

Plot

Broadcaster Gilbert Harding, playing a crime reporter, explains the behind-the-scenes work of Scotland Yard, as detectives investigate the theft of a lorry, which results in a conviction for murder.

Cast

Reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "A popular subject, treated in a popular and fairly interesting manner, though marred by a long and entirely unrelated sequence concerned with the details of the operation performed on the nightwatchman. Gilbert Harding is his usual ebullient self."[3]

Kine Weekly wrote: "Upretentious yet intriguing pint-size dramatic crime documentary. ... Gilbert Harding, cast as a reporter, fills the leading role and speaks the commentary, and is a success both as actor and "compere." The majority of the supporting players also register, and the detail rings true."[4]

Picturegoer wrote: "The actual case history, vividly illustrated, is not only ample proof that fact is stranger than fiction, but good entertainment, too – a welcome change from the conventional whodunit."[5]

Picture Show wrote: "Crime drama told in documentary style, this film shows Scotland Yard's methods of bringing to justice the head of a lorry stealing racket who has also committed murder. Gilbert Harding has the role of a reporter and he is also the narrator, with high praise going to Scotland Yard who show us their interesting behind-the-scenes work."[6]

References

  1. ^ Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 119. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
  2. ^ "Behind the Headlines". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  3. ^ "Behind the Headlines". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 20 (228): 175. 1 January 1953 – via ProQuest.
  4. ^ "Behind the Headlines". Kine Weekly. 439 (2416): 24. 15 October 1953 – via ProQuest.
  5. ^ "Behind the Headlines". Picturegoer. 32: 17. 9 August 1956 – via ProQuest.
  6. ^ "Behind the Headlines". Picture Show. 63 (1639): 10. 28 August 1954 – via ProQuest.