Pool of London (film)
Pool of London is a 1951 British noir crime film directed by Basil Dearden.[3]
| Pool of London | |
|---|---|
 Original British quad format film poster | |
| Directed by | Basil Dearden |
| Produced by | Michael Balcon Michael Relph (associate producer) |
| Screenplay by | Jack Whittingham John Eldridge |
| Starring | Bonar Colleano Earl Cameron Susan Shaw |
| Music by | John Addison |
| Cinematography | Gordon Dines |
| Edited by | Peter Tanner |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | GFD (UK) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 86 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Box office | £130,000[2] |
Synopsis
The character driven story centres around the crew of the merchant ship Dunbar, which docks in the Pool of London. The crew members are given shore leave, with some practising petty smuggling and other various dodges. Set in post-war London, the film is of note for portraying the first interracial relationship in a British film.[4]
Black crew member Johnny, an all-round nice guy, meets a pretty blonde who offers to show him the sights of London. In a visually-rich montage, they visit the National Maritime Museum and the Greenwich Observatory. Also shown briefly, are views from the dome of St Paul's Cathedral and some of the bombed areas around the cathedral prior to the building of Paternoster Square.
Meanwhile, seaman Dan – a ne’er-do-well with a conscience – inadvertently becomes involved with some big time crooks who are up to their necks in a big jewel heist. Next thing, the night watchman is murdered and the police hunt begins. Dan’s crass girlfriend shows her true colors and does nothing to stand by her man.
A variety of sub-plots, well-acted by a strong supporting cast, add interest.
Main cast
- Bonar Colleano as Dan MacDonald
- Earl Cameron as Johnny Lambert
- Susan Shaw as Pat
- Renée Asherson as Sally
- Moira Lister as Maisie
- Max Adrian as Charlie Vernon
- Joan Dowling as Pamela
- James Robertson Justice as Engine Room Officer Trotter
- Michael Golden as Customs Officer Andrews
- John Longden as Detective Inspector Williams
- Alfie Bass as Alf
- Christopher Hewett as Mike
- Leslie Phillips as Harry
- Ian Bannen as Garage attendant
- George Benson as George
- Beckett Bould as The Watchman
- Sam Kydd as 2nd Engineer
- Victor Maddern as First Tram Conductor
- Laurence Naismith as Commissionaire
- Campbell Singer as Station Sergeant
Release
“Pool of London” premiered at the Odeon Leicester Square in London on the 22 February 1951.[1]
Critical reception
In The New York Times, Bosley Crowther wrote, "there is excitement and suspense in the gritty and grimy melodramatics," and concluded that the film, "though not distinguished, is entertaining and has the flavor of a great shipping port."[5]
References
- "Pool Of London". Art & Hue. 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
- Harper, Sue; Porter, Vincent (2003). British Cinema of The 1950s The Decline of Deference. Oxford University Press USA. p. 285.
- Brooks, Xan (8 August 2017). "'I've not retired!' Earl Cameron, Britain's first black film star, on Bond, racism – and turning 100" – via www.theguardian.com.
- BFI Screenonline: Pool of London Linked 2015-06-08
- "Movie Reviews". 2 July 2020. Retrieved 4 July 2020 – via NYTimes.com.
External links
- Pool of London at the British Film Institute
- Pool of London at the BFI's Screenonline
- Pool of London at IMDb