Little Red Monkey

Little Red Monkey, released in the United States as Case of the Red Monkey, is a 1955 British crime film directed by Ken Hughes and starring Richard Conte, Rona Anderson and Russell Napier.[1] Detectives from Scotland Yard investigate a series of murders of leading Nuclear scientists, and are intrigued by strange reports received about the crimes. The film was based on a popular BBC TV series of the same name, written by Eric Maschwitz and produced by Bill Lyon-Shaw, which ran for six 30-minute episodes in 1953.[2]

Little Red Monkey
Theatrical release poster
Directed byKen Hughes
Produced byAlec C. Snowden
Written byJames Eastwood
Ken Hughes
Based onstory by Eric Maschwitz
StarringRichard Conte
Rona Anderson
Russell Napier
Sylva Langova
Music byTrevor Duncan
CinematographyJosef Ambor
Edited byInman Hunter
Geoffrey Muller
Production
company
Distributed byAnglo-Amalgamated (UK)
Allied Artists Pictures (US)
Release date
3 June 1955 (W.Germany)
19 June 1955 (US)
Running time
71 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

The film was made by Anglo-Amalgamated at Merton Park Studios. The film was an international hit, and along with Confession proved a breakthrough for Anglo-Amalgamated. After its success the company began making more expensive productions, often importing American stars to give them more international appeal.[3][4]

Cast

Production

The film was based on a 1953 British TV series starring Donald Huston and Honor Blackman.[5] The show's theme tune was very popular.[6]

Film rights were bought by Todon Productions who had just made Duel in the Jungle. Tony Owens, who ran Todon, signed Richard Conte to play the lead; Conte had just made A Race for Life in England. Filming started 24 May 1954 at Elstree Studios. The film was a co production with Anglo Guild.[7][8]

Reception

The MFB said it had "meagre excitements".[9]

References
  1. BFI.org
  2. "Donald Houston and Honor Blackman in 'LITTLE RED MONKEY'". BBC Genome Project. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  3. Chibnall & McFarlane p.99
  4. Vagg, Stephen (14 November 2020). "Ken Hughes Forgotten Auteur". Filmink.
  5. 1953 TV series at IMDb
  6. LIMELIGHT BROUGHT HIM THE LIMELIGHT ...: Frank Chacksfield's name was practically unknown when he took the record market by storm Richards, Dick. Answers; London Vol. 125, Iss. 3237, (May 15, 1954): 7
  7. Drama: Maggie McNamara Due Soon for 'Black Widow'; Conte Set for Thriller Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 30 Apr 1954: A11
  8. Todon Doing 6th Picture Los Angeles Times 5 Feb 1956: D3.
  9. LITTLE RED MONKEY Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 22, Iss. 252, (Jan 1, 1955): 40.

Bibliography
  • Chibnall, Steve & McFarlane, Brian. The British 'B' Film. Palgrave MacMillan, 2009.
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