Black Memory
| Black Memory | |
|---|---|
.jpg?lang=en) Trade ad poster | |
| Directed by | Oswald Mitchell |
| Written by | John Gilling |
| Produced by | Gilbert Church |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | S.D. Onions |
| Edited by | John F. House |
| Music by | Peter Russell |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Ambassador Film Productions |
Release date |
|
Running time | 73 mins |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Black Memory is a 1947 British second feature ('B')[1] crime film directed by Oswald Mitchell and starring Michael Atkinson, Myra O'Connell and Michael Medwin.[2][3] It was written by John Gilling and featured the first screen appearance of Sid James, known for the Carry On films. Also making her film acting debut was the Welsh-born actor, playwright, screenwriter and film director Jane Arden.[4]
Premise
[edit]When his father is wrongly convicted and hanged for murder, son Danny poses as a juvenile delinquent, and ten years later manages to clear his father's name.
Cast
[edit]- Michael Atkinson as Danny Cruff
- Myra O'Connell as Joan Davidson
- Michael Medwin as Johnnie Fletcher
- Sid James as Eddie Clinton (credited as Sydney James)
- Frank Hawkins as Alf Davidson
- Jane Arden as Sally Davidson
- Winifred Melville as Mrs. Davidson
- Michael Conry as Carl Broach
- Betty Miller as Mrs. Cruff
- Arthur Brander as Rutford
- Gerald Pring as Hawkins, the headmaster
- Valerie Hulton as Miss Philpotts
- Maurice Nicholas as Johnnie, as a boy
- Malcolm Sommers as Danny, as a boy
Critical reception
[edit]The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "The subject is grim and the settings and some of the characters are dark and murky. But this only adds to the reality – and realism and credibility are keynotes of this unpretentious but outstanding film. It is outstanding because of the sincerity of the acting – not only by the leads but by the whole cast – and because direction and photography also combine to make a gripping film. Michael Medwin as Johnny is so good that one comes to have a hearty distaste for the 'spiv' he creates. He is ably supported by Michael Atkinson as Danny and a well-chosen cast."[5]
Picturegoer wrote: "Both direction and acting are competent, and the working-class background rings true. Michael Medwin is generally convincing as the now almost inevitable 'spiv,' and Jane Arden is sound as a flighty girl he nearly ruins."[6]
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "good", writing: "Gripping street-level thriller."[7]
TV Guide wrote: "Weak story, poor dialog; everyone's just kiddin' around."[8][permanent dead link]
References
[edit]- ^ Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 156. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
- ^ "Black Memory". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ^ "Black Memory (1947)". BFI. Archived from the original on 17 August 2016.
- ^ "Arden, Jane (1927-82)". BFI ScreenOnline. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ^ "Black Memory". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 14 (157): 76. 1 January 1947. ProQuest 1305811261.
- ^ "Black Memory". Picturegoer. 16: 12. 16 August 1947. ProQuest 1771185301.
- ^ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 193. ISBN 0-7134-1874-5.
- ^ "Black Memory". TV Guide.
External links
[edit]- Black Memory at IMDb