The Renown Pictures Crime Collection: Volume Two [DVD]

The Third Alibi is an absolutely cracking superior supporting feature from Montgomery Tully that it would be a crime to divulge the complicated plot. Suffice it to say that it's as noir as British cinema ever came, with a sting in the tail. Largely studio bound, the script's the thing, but it has lovely cars, chic fashions, G plan furniture, blond and brunette female leads and a song from Cleo Lane. I've yet to watch the other nine films in this collection and they are unlikely to surpass this delight but I simply couldn't wait to pass on the good news. I now see that the film is a re-issue and has already been quite understandably praised by others but even as a Johnny come lately I want to shout its wonderfullness from the rooftops. Like London Buses, you wait for ages and once one comes another one comes in quick succession. 'Jackpot' is yet another bargain basement delight from Tully about a double-crossed robber who returns for his cut from 'The King of Soho'. It's Booman's classic Point Blank, with a cut-price Hardy Kruger lookalike in the Lee Marvin role, made with pocket change. A greasy spoon run by an ex-safe cracker where the kids dance to the jukebox. A character becomes an arty photographer by simply discarding his tie and unbuttoning his top button. The top glamour model looks like somebodies mum. A basement becomes a nightclub by simply fixing a small sign on the exterior. Done. It veers into The Blue Lamp territory but Dr Who, wearing an extraordinary plaid tweed overcoat, is on the case so we are in safe hands, or rather the safe cracker will hold up his hands. Poverty row, dashed off with panache. If Tully had been French, he would have become an auteur with seasons at the NFT and articles in Sight and Sound. It's not quite Melville in Soho but you get the picture. Sadly poor, but watchable print. I await the restored Criterion release in my dreams.

if you are interested in British crime films of the early post war era, this group is not bad. In fact, some are well made for their time.

Contains many wonderful old films

Only a few good films. Mostly b movies

Four stars for the three very enjoyable films in this collection of 10, which is good value for the £15 I paid, having ordered direct from Renown. The movies range from 1935 to 1961 and are all black and white. None of them could be described as 'ugly' but some of the prints are! No subtitles. THE GOOD ONES * 'Impulse' starring Arthur Kennedy - 1954, 78 mins. Brief Encounter with Guns. Kennedy gives a good performance as a man trapped in a humdrum marriage, who falls for the lovely Irish femme fatale, Constance Smith, and suffers the consequences. Good print and sound. * 'The Third Alibi'. 1961, 65 mins. Introduced by its star, Patricia Dainton, still very much the elegant and charming lady of all those years ago. Strong supporting cast, including Laurence Payne, Jane Griffith and Edward Underdown. Guest appearances by Dudley Moore and Cleo Laine. Gripping plot, good print and sound. * 'The Quiet Woman' 1951, 68 mins. Should please fans of Jane Hylton, who lifts a boring film out of the doldrums with an absorbing performance as a woman trying to escape her past by taking over a remotely situated pub. Atmospheric coastal setting, reasonable print, good sound. BAD WITH REDEEMING FEATURES (if you know and like the actors) * 'Passenger to London', 1937, 55 mins. Creaky, but I love its star, Jenny Laird, whose talent was used far better in 'Painted Boats', a film about life on the barges in the 1940s. Here she looks like a little girl dressed up as an adult. Very poor print and sound. * 'Smart Alec'. 1951, 56 mins. The only thing of interest in this one is an assured and witty performance by a young Peter Reynolds. The rest of the (good) cast are wasted, running around in frenzied apathy, trying to be funny. (No wonder it was 'lost' for years, but I was delighted to get my hands on another Reynolds film.) Poor print and sound. * 'The Riverside Murder' 1935, 62 mins. Creaky, but it's good to see Alaistair Sim in his film debut, even if he does ham it up a bit too much. Scratchy print and a lot of crackle on the sound. * 'Vengeance is Mine', 1949, 57 mins. Creaky, but an intriguing plot and a meaty role for Sam Kydd. Poor print and sound. THE OTHERS * 'Jackpot', 1960, 67 mins. Another 'lost' film, which sounded promising, starring William Hartnell and directed by Montgomery Tully. Hartnell gives a strong performance, but there's no pace, probably due to budget constraints. One good chase scene in Arsenal Stadium. Poor print and sound. * 'Crosstrap'. 1962, 60 mins. All right if you like hostage films, but I don't. Laurence Payne and Zena Marshall miscast. Good print and sound. * 'The Body Vanished', 1939, 46 mins. Creaky and only mildly interesting. Passable print for its age. some crackle on the sound. BONUS MATERIAL: A 4-min interview with Patricia Dainton, and a cheesy 1991 short history of the development of mystery films.

Great nostalgic drama.

pleased with item

Another mixed bag from 'Renown Pictures' with varying picture quality and movie content . Don't get me wrong , it's great to see some of these old 'B' Movies but please present them so that the screen (titles) is/are not cropped and the definition is clear ! The pick of the bunch (for me) is IMPULSE (1954) with an imported 'Arthur Kennedy' in a charming story of suburban crime . THE THIRD ALIBI (1961) has a nice twist in the tail and features the brief debut of 'DUDLEY MOORE' & also the lovely CLEO LAINE as a cabaret singer (unsurprisingly). The other films are mostly forgettable but , THE RIVERSIDE MURDER (1935) features the first film role of the wonderfully lugubrious ALASTAIR SIM and therefore is worth the £15- admission fee (only if you buy direct from Renown) . An interesting interview & short film add to the interest and overall it's an easy watch !

Love these old British crime drama collections from Renown. We have four collections and they are well worth watching!