Tiger Bay

This film stars the Cinema Idol Horst Bucholz as a Polish Sailor returning to his girl-friend, only to find her in the arms of another man. In a jealous rage, he shoots and kills the woman. The only witness to this crime of passion is a 12 year old girl (played by newcomer Hayley Mills), who saw everything through a letter-box.

What follows is a suspenseful chase by the law, as well as a bitter sweet character study of the likable murderer and the girl who may hold the power to tip the scales of justice. The ending is not much of a surprise, but it's great fun getting there! In glorious black & white photography, this is a true Classic! Not only do we get introduced to the pre-Disney sweetheart Hayley Mills (who won a Special Juvenile Oscar for her outstanding performance), but we see the celebrated James-Dean-like heart throb Horst Buchholz in one of his early, and much acclaimed roles.

This movie stands out, I think, for not looking studio-bound in any way, unlike most British movies of the era. TIGER BAY is generally filmed very well with a nice blend of close-ups and low angles. It also succeeds in developing a sense of suspense that does not let down until the last few frames.

TIGER BAY is about a sailor, Korchinsky, who returns to Cardiff after being abroad for some months to discover his estranged fiance has been unfaithful in his absence. In a moment of anger, he shoots her dead in her apartment.

Initially unknown to Korchinsky, a young tomboy, Gillie (Mills), who would "rather play with guns and dress up as a gangster" than wear a dress, has witnessed the deed. Mills is almost unrecognisable in her role as the "proper little liar" apart from her full smile of teeth and her undeveloped trademark voice.

Gillie is a young girl who likes playing pranks as part of her good-hearted but cheeky nature. During the entire film, it seems she can never quite full understand or appreciate the devastation of the murder she has witnessed. As an example of her cheekiness, she takes the hidden gun and ammunition to show off to her fellow choristers at a church-wedding!

Korchinsky and Gillie become friendly after the murder and must avoid the authorities together as they both eventually become wanted for their respective parts in the murder - Gillie as a witness to the act, who has taken off with the murder weapon, and Korchinsky as he eventually becomes suspect for the deed itself. At the moment of truth, will Gillie stick up for her new friend?

There were plenty of British crime thrillers about at that time. They were pretty black and white not only in photography. Here we have one that strikes out on its own. Here the differences between good and bad are blurred. Indeed towards the end, we find ourselves hoping that the Polish sailor gets clean away.

Unusually for a crime thriller, we have some pretty good acting from the two central characters, one of them a child, played by the daughter of John Mills (who plays a detective). German actor Horst Bucholz plays the part of the Pole.

The setting is Cardiff, and some of the street types are pretty good, and very atmospheric.

At a time when Britain was turning out some pretty rotten stuff, this is a film that is very watchable, quite well written and well acted.

this is a hidden gem... quickly, the film transports you to a different world, one of varying shades of gray, skies, people, emotions, degrees of truth.... the cinematography is surprising and fresh for a movie that is more than 40 years old, the camera angles that tell more in a one-second frame than a lot of movies nowadays take minutes to set up and then fail to do... there are no special effects, but there are plenty of moods and thoughts carried on faces in close-up and in backgrounds that move the story along.. hayley is great, the scene where she re-enacts the murder alone is worth watching the movie for.. and buchholz also is fun to see and totally credible in how his heart has pushed him in ways he never thought he would go.... a very brave man indeed..

Tiger Bay was a great movie for a number of reasons. I will admit the kid and the killer plot is very familiar territory, and while the film offers very little new it is still a remarkable and I think underrated movie. The best element was the truly terrific debut performance of Hayley Mills. Quite frankly, her performance is one of the greatest child performances ever, that's how good it was. The plot about a young girl befriending a murderous sailor and her attempts to hinder the detective's investigation is still suspenseful and clever, and still manages to be intriguing in the slower moments. The cinematography is fabulous, and perfectly captures the sights of the Cardiff docklands and of Hayley's photogenic face. Also J Lee Thompson is a fine director of children, and directs Hayley with care and precision. Even more remarkable is the credible characters and the supporting acting of Hayley's father the wonderful John Mills and Horst Buchholz. All in all, a very good movie. 9/10 Bethany Cox