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Brass Monkey
Brass Monkey
Directed by	Thornton Freeland; dialogue director; Denny Freeman
Written by	Alec Coppel; additional dialogue; William Freshman; Vernon Sylvaine; Robert Buckland
Based on	an original story by Alec Coppel; Thornton Freeland
Produced by	N.A. Bronsten; associate; John R. Sloan
Starring	Carroll Levis; Carole Landis; Herbert Lom
Cinematography	Basil Emmott
Edited by	David Hawkins
Music by	Dr. Bernard Grun
Distributed by	United Artists
Release date	1949 (UK);
Running time	100 min.
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

Brass Monkey is a 1948 British comedy thriller with musical asides, directed by Thornton Freeland. It stars Carroll Levis, a radio variety show host and talent scout (known as "Britain's favourite Canadian")^{[citation needed]} and American actress Carole Landis in her last film. Also known as The Lucky Mascot, the film features an early appearance by comic actor Terry-Thomas, playing himself.^[1]

Though made in 1948, Brass Monkey wasn't released in the US until 1951.^[2]^[3]

Plot

Popular radio presenter Carroll Levis, and Kay Sheldon find themselves entangled in a web of smuggling and murder. When a priceless "brass monkey" is stolen from a Japanese temple and smuggled into England, Levis encounters the eccentric Mr. Ryder-Harris, a Buddhist art connoisseur who's chasing the artefact, and will apparently stop at nothing to get it. The monkey is missing and suspicious murders are being committed in the hunt for its retrieval. With the help of the Discoveries radio talent, Levis attempts to avoid murderous henchman Herbert Lom, and foil Mr. Ryder-Harris's plans. Amongst all the mayhem, an array of musical and comedy performers audition for and appear on The Levis Hour, the hero's weekly radio programme.^[1]^[2]^[4]^[5]

Cast

Carroll Levis as himself
Carole Landis as Kay Sheldon
Herbert Lom as Peter Hobart
Avril Angers as herself
Ernest Thesiger as Ryder-Harris
Edward Underdown as Max Taylor
Henry Edwards as Inspector Miller
Henry Worthington as Rodney
Terry-Thomas as himself
Leslie 'Hutch' Hutchinson as Hutch
Campbell Cotts as A.J. Gilroy
Peter Williams as Detective Fellows

Production

Landis arrived in England to make the film in August 1947.^[6] Landis reportedly said that she encouraged the English actors to speak more slowly so that U.S. audiences could understand them.^[7]

Songs

"It's the Greatest Business in the world" by Gaby Rogers – staged by Buddy Bradley
"Home Sweet Home" by Sid Colin and Steve Race
"Somebody Blew My Bluebird's Egg" by Noel Langley and Pat Quin
"I Know Myself Too Well" by Ross Parker
"Tomorrow's Rainbow" by Colin Campbell

Critical reception

Time Out called the film a "ramshackle support feature", and concluded it was "a curio, but not really a collectible."^[8]
In a contemporary review, The Geraldton Guardian called The Brass Monkey, a "well told story."^[5]
Sky Movies wrote, "a rough (very rough) and tumble British comedy-thriller spun round the then popular shows featuring Carroll Levis. ... Not much as a film ... But of undoubted interest for its extraordinary cast."^[9]