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Whispering Smith Hits London

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Whispering Smith Hits London
Poster for US theatrical release
Directed byFrancis Searle
Screenplay byJohn Gilling
Produced byAnthony Hinds
Julian Lesser
StarringRichard Carlson
Greta Gynt
Rona Anderson
Herbert Lom
CinematographyWalter Harvey
Edited byJames Needs
Music byFrank Spencer
Production
company
Distributed byExclusive Films
RKO Radio Pictures (US)
Release date
  • 31 January 1952 (1952-01-31) (US)[1]
Running time
77 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Whispering Smith Hits London (U.S. title Whispering Smith vs. [or versus] Scotland Yard) is a 1952 British second feature ('B')[2] mystery film directed by Francis Searle and starring Richard Carlson, Greta Gynt and Herbert Lom.[3][4] The screenplay was by John Gilling. It was released in the United States by RKO Pictures.

Plot

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An American detective who is summoned to London to investigate a death in suspicious circumstances.

Cast

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Production

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It was made at Bray Studios with some location shooting in London.

Reception

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The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "A fast-moving and quite exciting thriller, well acted by Richard Carlson, and made with modest competence."[5]

Kine Weekly wrote: "The picture, staged in and around one of England's ancestral mansions, does not take the shortest cut to its happy and exciting ending, but, although some of the digressions add to its footage without strengthening its entertainment content, its principal players make the most of the red herrings. Richard Carlson, as Smith; is both shrewd and affable, and the well-known British co-stars and supporting artists cooperate effectively. The photography, like the settings, is impeccable."[6]

Variety wrote: "A hole or two develops in the script, but overall it proves to be acceptable whodunit framing. Carlson does a likeable job of the private eye, and script finds time to permit him some amatory didoes which are customary to private sleuthing. Miss Gynt as the femme menace, and Miss Anderson as the gal who winds up with Carlson, are okay. Lou and Wheatley do well by their dirty work, and others are capable."[7]

Picturegoer wrote: "Provided you don't expect too much, you'll find it both agreeable and exciting."[8]

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "average", writing: "Exciting enough crime drama for those who can keep track of the plot."[9]

Leslie Halliwell said: "Tolerable programmer of its time: competence without inspiration."[10]

References

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  1. ^ "Whispering Smith Investigates". imdb.com. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  2. ^ Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 79. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
  3. ^ "Whispering Smith Hits London". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  4. ^ "Whispering Smith Hits London (1952) | BFI". ftvdb.bfi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 24 January 2009. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  5. ^ "Whispering Smith Hits London". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 19 (216): 39. 1 January 1952 – via ProQuest.
  6. ^ "Whispering Smith Hits London". Kine Weekly. 418 (2326): 23. 24 January 1952 – via ProQuest.
  7. ^ "Whispering Smith Hits London". Variety. 186 (1): 16. 12 March 1952 – via ProQuest.
  8. ^ "Whispering Smith Hits London". Picturegoer. 23: 15. 5 February 1952 – via ProQuest.
  9. ^ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 399. ISBN 0-7134-1874-5.
  10. ^ Halliwell, Leslie (1989). Halliwell's Film Guide (7th ed.). London: Paladin. p. 1109. ISBN 0586088946.
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