Emergency Call [The Hundred Hour Hunt] *** (1952, Jack Warner, Joy Shelton, Anthony Steel, Sidney James, Sydney Tafler) – Classic Movie Review 12,784

Director Lewis Gilbert’s 1952 drama film Emergency Call [The Hundred Hour Hunt] stars Jack Warner, Joy Shelton, Anthony Steel, Sidney James and Sydney Tafler.

Scotland Yard Inspector Lane (Jack Warner desperately tries to find the three people with the rare blood group that doctor (Dr Carter) Anthony Steel needs to save a young girl, in this familiar but tautly made and convincingly acted little British medical melodrama from the Fifties.

Those who can save the day are a boxer (Freddie Mills), a Black stoker (Earl Cameron) and a fugitive murderer.

It was director Gilbert’s breakthrough film, a hit costing a mere £20,000, representing terrific value.

Sydney Tafler (31 July 1916 – 8 November 1979) was born into a Jewish family, the son of Eva and antiques dealer Mark Tafler. His sister Hylda married the film director Lewis Gilbert. He was married to the actress Joy Shelton from 1941 until his death from cancer, aged 63.

Lewis Gilbert directed both Joy Shelton and Sydney Tafler in the 1950 British drama film Once a Sinner and in the 1952 British drama film Emergency Call [The Hundred Hour Hunt].

The cast are Jack Warner, Joy Shelton, Anthony Steel, Sidney James, Freddie Mills, Thora Hird, Earl Cameron, John Robinson, Eric Pohlmann, Sydney Tafler, Vida Hope, Geoffrey Hibbert, Henry Hewitt, Avis Scott, Michael Brennan, Peggy Bryan, Nigel Clarke, Duncan Lamont, Dandy Nichols, Bruce Seton, Anna Turner, Nosher Powell, Anthony Oliver, Arthur Lovegrove, Jennifer Tafler, Carmen Manley, Philip Ray, Peter Swanwick, Pat Hagate, Campbell Singer, Graham Stark, Iris Vandeleur, Michael Ward, and Eric Davies.

The 24 year old Nosher Powell, who plays Boy Booth, became a famed movie stuntman and occasional actor after retiring from boxing in 1960.

The boxing actor Freddie Mills receives an introducing credit in his first film.

Emergency Call [The Hundred Hour Hunt] is directed by Lewis Gilbert, runs 92 minutes, is made by Nettlefold, is released by Butcher’s, is written by Vernon Harris and Lewis Gilbert, is shot in black and white by Wilkie Cooper, is produced by Ernest G Roy, is scored by Wilfred Burns, and designed by Bernard Robinson.

© Derek Winnert 2024 – Classic Movie Review 12,784

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