Two Crowded Hours
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| Two Crowded Hours | |
|---|---|
 John Longden (right) and Jerry Verno (centre) | |
| Directed by | Michael Powell |
| Written by | Joseph Jefferson Farjeon |
| Produced by | Jerome Jackson Henry Cohen |
| Starring | John Longden Jane Welsh Jerry Verno |
| Cinematography | Geoffrey Faithfull |
| Edited by | Arthur Seabourne |
| Distributed by | Fox Film Company (UK) Twentieth Century-Fox (US) |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 43 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Two Crowded Hours is a 1931 British comedy drama film directed by Michael Powell and starring John Longden, Jane Welsh, and Jerry Verno.[1] It was written by Joseph Jefferson Farjeon, and was made as a quota quickie. It is the first film where Powell is credited as the director.
The British Film Institute has classed Two Crowded Hours as a lost film,[2] included in its "75 Most Wanted" list.[3][4] The BFI National Archive holds a collection of ephemera and stills but no film or video materials.[1]
Premise
A murderer is on the run from prison and is out to get everyone who put him there, especially Joyce, a young woman. Detective Fielding gives chase with the help of a London cabbie, Jim, who has aspirations of becoming a policeman himself.
Cast
- John Longden as Harry Fielding
- Jane Welsh as Joyce Danton
- Jerry Verno as Jim
- Michael Hogan as Scammell
- Edward Barber as Tom Murray
Production
Two Crowded Hours was produced by Jerry Jackson for the Film Engineering Company and distributed by the British arm of Fox Pictures. Shooting was completed in 12 days in April 1931 in and around London's Soho.[2]
"It was played for laughs and thrills", Powell said, "and we were paid £1 per foot by Fox. (216) We got £4,000 on delivery so obviously we had to make it for £3,000".[5][page needed]