A Case for PC 49 is a 1951 British second feature ('B')[1] mystery film directed by Francis Searle and starring Brian Reece, Joy Shelton and Christine Norden.[2] It was written by Vernon Harris, Francis Searle and Alan Stranks, and made by Hammer Films at Bray Studios. The film was based on a popular radio series, which already been adapted into the 1949 film The Adventures of PC 49.
| A Case for PC 49 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Francis Searle |
| Written by | Vernon Harris Francis Searle Alan Stranks |
| Produced by | Anthony Hinds |
| Starring | Brian Reece Joy Shelton Christine Norden |
| Cinematography | Walter J. Harvey |
| Edited by | James Needs |
| Music by | Frank Spencer |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Exclusive Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Cast
edit- Brian Reece as Archibald Berkeley-Willoughby
- Joy Shelton as Joan Carr
- Christine Norden as Della Dainton
- Leslie Bradley as Victor Palantine
- George McLeod as Inspector Wilson
- Campbell Singer as Sgt. Wright
- Jack Stewart as Cutler
- Michael Balfour as Chubby Price
- Michael Ripper as George Steele
- Joan Seton as Elsie
- Edna Morris as Mrs. Bott
- John Sharp as Desk Sergeant
- Frank Hawkins as Police Sergeant
- John Barry as Pewter
- John Warren as Coffee Dan
Reception
editThe Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "The film follows the pattern of the radio series and the previous P.C. 49 films: a brutal crime story lightened by the well worn comic atitude adopted by Brian Reece. The many moments of suspense too often end in elaborate anti-climaxes and the complicated plot draws to an over-simplified and abrupt ending."[3]
Picturegoer wrote: "Provided you're not too exacting, you'll find eighty minutes in the custody of P.C. 49 quite a hectic experience. I did. I think the youngsters will enjoy it, too, despite the view of the censor, who's fitted it out with an 'A' certificate."[4]
References
edit- ^ Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 78. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
- ^ "A Case for PC 49". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "A Case for PC 49". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 18 (204): 310. 1 January 1951 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "A Case for PC 49". Picturegoer. 22: 17. 0 August 1951 – via ProQuest.
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