It Takes a Thief

This film contains a surprisingly high level of violence; in particular the kidnapping scene where the boy's grandmother is beaten up. Even nowadays when gory violence seems to be the norm, it mainly happens to men and I think most film producers would hesitate before depicting a helpless old lady being beaten senseless in prolonged and graphic detail, in this case made more realistic and believable by good acting from Barbara Mullen. The same thug who beat her is later arrested in his bedroom by the police sending in a dog followed by three heavies who give him a savage beating before driving him to the station where he is threatened with more unless he gives the location of the boy. Whether her acting is good or bad the producers probably wanted Jayne Mansfield as added glamour which she provides by looking stunning particularly towards the end when she sings in her club. Overall this is an exciting and entertaining thriller.

One of the better London-based crime films of the 1950s/1960s to appear on the Talking Pictures channel. It was interesting to see Anthony Quayle as something of an underdog, and I always puzzle about Edward Judd's transformation as an actor. In "The Challenge", he looks a bit seedy, not helped by unflattering baldness, whereas after some 50 years I can still recall his screen presence in some TV series or other - helped by a toupee, a bit of burliness and a smart suit.

I have a feeling that, as with so many films, the regional railway stock and the London terminus didn't match. (And even in those days did drivers really leave ignition keys in their cars?) Despite what others have said, I thought that Jayne Mansfield was adequate, though I fast-forwarded through her song.

The poster for the film shown here on IMDb titillates misleadingly. I'm not sure who the cavorting lady is - Billy before she went blonde or the stripper whose act we never got to see completely?

When you watch a British crime film from the 1950s you expect that the gang boss will be played by Herbert Lom,or Martin Benson or maybe Eric Pohlman,but Jayne Mansfield!\whereas Joan Crawford is a tigress when she is a gang boss,Eg Johnny Notorious,Mansfield is a pussycat.She has all the toughness of a rotten tomato.Once the going gets tough she gets going and Carl Mohne takes over.The best she can do is simper in a variety of wigs and a different outfit for every scene.She simpers a song in a sort of Monroe imitation.She is in short dreadful.Quayle plays against type as her crook lover who went to prison but kept the loot.If you were to take Monroe out of this film you would have a good film.Nevertheless when Mansfield is off the screen the film is quite entertaining.

What you might think would be a routine London based crime drama, turns out to have some thriller and noir aspects. Several surprise twists especially the ending will keep you interested in watching. Director John Gilling, a vet at doing some schlock and B pictures in the UK, pulls off a surprise winner here. Definitely a plus to have Quayle as the lead to Jayne Mansfield's assets, in one of her better performances with her clothes on. A bit of mis-casting with Barbara Mullen playing Anthony Quayle's mother ( she is actually younger than him). Good on-location action scenes in London and countryside.

Aka..."The Challenge"

Exceptional Psychological and Physical Violence Permeate this Picture from Britain.

Cutting-Edge Presentation of Child in Peril, Violence to Women, and Abnormal Psychology Wrap Around a Good Jayne Mansfield Performance.

The Film also Offers Thrills Filmed with Dutch Angles and Tight-Tension Scenarios with Nail-Biting Brutality and High-Speed Chases.

Anthony Quayle Gives a Solid, Grim Outing as a Gang-Member who Does Time and is Released only to Find His Gang Turns on Him for the "Buried Treasure".

They Not Only Turn on Him but His 6 Year Old Son and His Aging Mom.

The Film Contains some of the Most Gut-Wrenching Violence Seen on the Screen Before the Code Broke Down.

It's a Fantastic Gang-Land Crime Thriller that is Virtually Unknown and Deserves more Attention and Praise.

Jayne, Quayle, and Director Gillian Made this an Atypical "Times-are-Changing" Introduction, to the Turbulent, Paradigm Shattering Decade.

A Hidden Gem.