The Adventures of PC 49
1949 British film by Godfrey Grayson
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The Adventures of PC 49 (also known as The Case of the Guardian Angel[2]) is a 1949 British second feature ('B')[3] crime film directed by Godfrey Grayson, starring Hugh Latimer, John Penrose and Annette D. Simmonds.[4] It was written by Vernon Harris and Alan Stranks based on the popular BBC radio series by Stranks.[5] It was followed by a sequel, A Case for PC 49, in 1951.
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- Vernon Harris (radio series)
- Alan Stranks
- Hugh Latimer
- John Penrose
- Annette D. Simmonds
| The Adventures of PC 49 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Directed by | Godfrey Grayson |
| Written by |
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| Produced by | Anthony Hinds |
| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Cedric Williams |
| Edited by | Clifford Turner |
| Music by | Frank Spencer |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Exclusive Films |
Release date |
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Running time | 67 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
There were six children's annuals containing stories of PC 49 published in England, as well as an annual reprinting of his strips in the Eagle comic.[citation needed]
Plot
P.C. 49 – Police Constable Archibald Berkeley-Willoughby – infiltrates a gang specializing in stealing loads of whisky from lorries. He adopts the alias Vince Kelly, but one of the gang members (Skinny Ellis) recognizes him as a cop. With his girlfriend Joan's help, he brings the ringleader Ma Brady and her henchmen to justice.
Cast
- Hugh Latimer as P.C. Archibald Berkeley-Willoughby
- John Penrose as Barney
- Annette D. Simmonds as Carrots
- Pat Nye as Ma Brady
- Patricia Cutts as Joan Carr
- Michael Ripper as Fingers
- Martin Benson as Skinny Ellis
- Arthur Lovegrove as Bill
- Arthur Brander as Inspector Wilson
- Eric Phillips as Sergeant Wright
- Billy Thatcher as Ted Burton
- Jim O'Brady as lorry driver
Reception
Kine Weekly wrote: "Its sense of humour is keen and its romantic asides lively. There is no danger of it being taken too seriously. Jolly and exciting crime fiction, it is particularly well-equipped to meet general second-feature needs. But we're blowed if we know why the Censor has given it an 'A' certificate."[6]
Picturegoer wrote: "His first excursion into films, though a little too conventional in treatment, follows a much-enjoyed, much-traced pattern."[7]
Picture Show wrote: "Based on the B.B.C. series, this is a hearty, fast-moving melodrama in which the University graduate policeman rounds up a gang of warehouse robbers. Lively direction, vigorous acting."[8]
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "average", writing: "Unconventional radio character somewhat straitjacketed in conventional plot."[9]