The Second Mate

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "The Second Mate is an economically made comedy thriller, designed to introduce the comedy team of Gordon Harker, Graham Moffat and David Hannaford, and made partly on Thames-side locations. The intention is commendable but The Second Mate, unfortunately, suffers from rather inexpert direction, a confused story (slow moving until the final chase scenes) and a comedy technique which relies over much on the familiar mannerisms of Gordon Harker."^[3]

Kine Weekly wrote: "Juvenile adventure comedy melodrama. ... it is young David Hannaford's engaging performance in what is tantamount to the lead, and the picturesque backgrounds, rather than the extravagant plot that prevent it from shipping water. Disarmingly ingenuous, it should get over in other than tough joints. Acceptable screen 'children's hour'."^[4]

Picturegoer wrote: "If you like seeing childre being precocious and rude to their elders, you may appreciate this film. Otherwise, I don't think you'll find it very funny. For the film tries to win most of its laughs through young David Hannaford. He answers back, makes faces when spoken to, and generally puts on the big act. The story doesn't help, It's slow and its action is not fully explained until nearly an hour has passed. ... To give the players due credit, though, they all do well in face of the difficulties. A redeeming feature of the film is the Thames-side scenery, from Shepperton to Tower Bridge. It's all too rare that the British countryside is featured prominently in British films."^[5]

Picture Show wrote: "Delightfully set on the Thames, this is a diverting blend of dirty work and good clean fun ... Agreeable entertainment with Gordon Harker scoring as the Cockney barge-master."^[6]

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "mediocre", writing: "Slow, rather crudely made comedy-thriller that even Harker's experience can't save."^[7]

• The Second Mate at IMDb