Suspected Person

This is a thriller that lacks any real conviction,particularly since it seems obsessed with the American gangster milieu. The story twists and turns but not in such a way as to keep you on t enter hooks.The acting is very variable, Farrer is particularly wooden.The 2 "Americans" ate laughably unbelievable.

Almost a template for many of the British 'B' crime movies of the Fifties, this has Raynor (Clifford Evans) returning to England with the proceeds of a bank heist, pursued by two American gangsters he has double crossed. Another who was in on the robbery is shot in the first scene, which was a relief to me as I could scarcely understand a word he was saying. Raynor is taken in by his sister (Patricia Roc) with Scotland Yard soon in pursuit of the loot as well. Her third film, this was a major opportunity for Roc, and she took it with both hands, giving a strong performance, as well as notice she was on her way to being a major star.

This is fast-moving, and with moments of humour, it holds attention throughout. Patricia Roc's biographer, Michael Hodgson, recounts how Lawrence Huntington had a huge model of part of Euston station constructed in the studio, probably the reason why production values seem skimped in some other scenes. Though not an obvious choice for leading man in a film of this type, Clifford Evans does a good job and David Farrar, another star on the way up, is ideal as the man from the Yard.

Jim Raynor returns to London only to discover gangsters and Scotland Yard are both on the trail of the stolen money (50000 dollars) now in his possession. On the positive side of his return Jim gets re-acquainted with his supportive sister Joan and his old sweetheart(now a local entertainer named) Carol Martin. Can Jim somehow elude both the notorious gangsters and the police or will they both have more in store for him than he bargained for?

This is a rather fanciful take on the crime fantasy story and falls very much in line of what one expects a 1940s film about the subject to be like. While it likely doesn't ring true, it's great fun to watch unfold despite its cliches. The women in the film are particularly strong for a film from the 1940s--especially Patricia Roc as Jim sister's Joan.

Ignore the reviews that complain about the bad American accents, etc. The plot's the thing here. Unique, interesting story with a bunch of twists... and the director keeps it moving at a brisk pace. The attempts at humor aren't great, but they don't ruin the film.

As far as the two "americans" in with their gangster lingo. With a good story behind it, it really doesn't interfere with the enjoyment of the film. This is a English B crime picture from 1942 - what can you expect of it?

Overall, the acting is at least adequate with solid performances sprinkled in.

Interesting that one reviewer lamented over the "weak story" but great characterizations. I would have to say it is the exact opposite.

An occasionally atmospherically lit but stiff, talky and studio-bound British imitation of a Hollywood crime film a long way after 'Point Blank', whose plot about American gangsters at large in London like the rest of the film feels very pre-war.

A couple of 'big shot' racketeers are after $50,000 due them from their latest heist stateside. I won't spoil it for you by revealing if they're successful or not.