James Carreras
Sir James Enrique Carreras (30 January 1909 – 9 June 1990) was a British film producer and executive who, together with William Hinds, founded the British company Hammer Film Productions. His career spanned nearly 45 years, in multiple facets of the entertainment industry until retiring in 1972. Carreras managed the Oxford cinema ''Manchester'' before entering the distribution side of the film industry in 1934, when he joined Exclusive Films, formed by his father Enrique and William Hinds. During World War II, Carreras saw combat and rose to Lieutenant-Colonel. In 1946, he returned as managing director of ''Exclusive Films'', where he co-produced ''Who Killed Van Loon?'' (1947). From 1949 to 1980, he was chairman of Hammer Film Productions. He oversaw the growth of the privately owned firm into a successful film company. Honours In 1944, he received an MBE. He was knighted in 1970. He was appointed a KCVO in the 1980 New Years Honours. His son was the film director and p ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Henley-on-Thames
Henley-on-Thames ( ) is a town and civil parish on the River Thames in Oxfordshire, England, northeast of Reading, west of Maidenhead, southeast of Oxford and west of London (by road), near the tripoint of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. The population at the 2011 Census was 11,619. History Henley does not appear in Domesday Book of 1086; often it is mistaken for ''Henlei'' in the book which is in Surrey. There is archaeological evidence of people residing in Henley since the second century as part of the Romano-British period. The first record of Henley as a substantial settlement is from 1179, when it is recorded that King Henry II "had bought land for the making of buildings". King John granted the manor of Benson and the town and manor of Henley to Robert Harcourt in 1199. A church at Henley is first mentioned in 1204. In 1205 the town received a tax for street paving, and in 1234 the bridge is first mentioned. In 1278 Henley is described as a hamlet of ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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The Lady Craved Excitement
''The Lady Craved Excitement'' is a 1950 British comedy film directed by Francis Searle and written by John Gilling. It featured Hy Hazell, Michael Medwin and Sid James. An early Hammer film, it is significant as one of five films shot at Oakley Court and the first to feature its famous exterior, located next door to Bray Studios. Plot Cabaret artists Pat and Johnny's careers are hampered by Pat's craving for excitement. She leads them into a number of dangerous situations, but also help to uncover a conspiracy to smuggle valuable works of art out of the country. Cast * Hy Hazell as Pat * Michael Medwin as Johnny * Sidney James as Carlo * Thelma Grigg as Julia Lafaine * Andrew Keir as Septimus K. Peterson * Danny Green as Boris * John Longden as Inspector James * Ian Wilson as Mugsy * Barbara Hamilton as 1st Chorus Girl * Jasmine Dee as 2nd Chorus Girl * Gordon Mulholland as Lunatic Critical reception ''Britmovie'' wrote, "barely watchable by today’s standards (and proba ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Wings Of Danger
''Wings of Danger'', released in the United States as ''Dead on Course'', is a 1952 British crime film directed by Terence Fisher and starring Zachary Scott, Robert Beatty and Kay Kendall.Erickson, Ha"Overview: 'Wings of Danger' (1952)."''AllMovie'', 2019. Retrieved: 13 July 2019. The screenplay concerns a pilot who is suspected of smuggling. Plot At Spencer Airlines in England, American pilot Richard "Van" Van Ness (Zachary Scott) tries to stop his friend, Nick Talbot (Robert Beatty), from taking off in a storm. Nick threatens to tell their boss, Boyd Spencer ( Arthur Lane), that Van suffers from blackouts. Next morning, Van's fears come true when debris from Nick's aircraft wash ashore. Van tells Spencer who does not seem to care about Nick dying. Van asks Spencer's girl friend, Alexia LaRoche (Kay Kendall) to exchange pounds for dollars. The following night, he visits his girl friend, Nick's sister Avril (Naomi Chance) who is being blackmailed by a man named Snell (Harold Lan ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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The Last Page
''The Last Page'', released in the United States as ''Man Bait'', is a 1952 British film noir produced by Hammer Film Productions starring George Brent, Marguerite Chapman and Diana Dors. The film is notable for being the first Hammer film directed by Terence Fisher, who later played a critical role in the creation of the company's immensely successful horror film cycle. ''The Last Page'' is also notable for being the first film made under a four-year production and distribution contract between Hammer and the US film distribution company Lippert Pictures. As in all of these films, the leading role was played by a well-known Hollywood actor supplied by Lippert to ensure familiarity with American audiences. Plot Ruby Bruce (Dors), an attractive young bookstore clerk, catches small-time crook Jeff Hart (Reynolds) trying to steal a rare book. Instead of turning him in, she accepts a date with him. Later, the bookstore manager John Harman (Brent) reprimands Ruby for being late to ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Whispering Smith Hits London
''Whispering Smith Hits London'' is a 1952 British mystery film directed by Francis Searle and starring Richard Carlson, Greta Gynt and Herbert Lom. It was made at Bray Studios with some location shooting in London. It was released in the United States by RKO Pictures as ''Whispering Smith vs. Scotland Yard''. Synopsis The screenplay concerns an American detective who is summoned to London to investigate a death in suspicious circumstances. Cast * Richard Carlson as Whispering Smith * Greta Gynt as Louise * Herbert Lom as Roger Ford * Rona Anderson as Anne * Alan Wheatley as Hector Reith * Dora Bryan as Miss La Fosse * Reginald Beckwith as Manson * Daniel Wherry as Dr. Taren * Michael Ward as Photographer * Danny Green as Cecil Fleming * James Raglan as Supt. Meaker * Stuart Nichol as Martin * Laurence Naismith as Parker * Christine Silver Christine Silver (17 December 1883 – 23 November 1960) was a British stage, film and television actress, and a playwright. Early li ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Death Of An Angel
''Death of an Angel'' is a 1952 British crime drama film directed by Charles Saunders and starring Patrick Barr, Jane Baxter and Jean Lodge.Chibnall & McFarlane p.79 It was filmed at Bray Studios as a second feature. Synopsis When a doctor's wife is found murdered at their rural practice, suspicion falls on his partner at the surgery. Cast * Patrick Barr as Robert Welling * Jane Baxter as Mary Welling * Julie Somers as Judy Welling * Raymond Young as Chris Boswell * Jean Lodge as Ann Marlow * Russell Waters as Walter Grannage * Russell Napier Russell Gordon Napier (28 November 1910 – 19 August 1974) was an Australian actor. Biography Russell Napier was born in Perth, Western Australia. Originally a lawyer, Napier was active as an actor on the stage as early as 1936; on the scree ... as Supt. Walshaw * Katie Johnson as Sarah Oddy * June Bardsley as Nurse * David Stoll as Plainclothesman * Duggie Ascot as Taxi Driver * Robert Brown as Jim Pollar ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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The Black Widow (1951 Film)
''The Black Widow'' is a 1951 British thriller film directed by Vernon Sewell and starring Christine Norden and Robert Ayres. The film was a B-movie production by Hammer Film Productions and was based on a radio serial entitled ''Return from Darkness''. Plot Mark Sherwin (Ayres) is driving in the country when he notices a man lying at the side of the road. Assuming the man is the victim of a hit-and-run, he stops to offer assistance, only to be coshed and left stunned while his wallet and car are stolen. On recovering his senses, he staggers towards a nearby farmhouse where he collapses. He is found by the farm owner, who summons a doctor. Meanwhile, the car thief comes to grief while speeding round a corner on a clifftop road, the car plunges over the edge and explodes in flames. Sherwin regains consciousness, but is suffering from complete amnesia with no idea of his own identity or how he came to be found in such a remote location. The farm owner and his daughter agr ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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A Case For PC 49
''A Case for PC 49'' is a 1951 British mystery film directed by Francis Searle and starring Brian Reece, Joy Shelton and Christine Norden.Chibnall & MacFarlane p.79 It was made by Hammer Films at Bray Studios. The film was based on a popular radio series, which already been adapted into the 1949 production ''The Adventures of PC 49''. It was released as a second feature. Cast * Brian Reece as Archibald Berkeley-Willoughby * Joy Shelton as Joan Carr * Christine Norden as Della Dainton * Leslie Bradley as Victor Palantine * George McLeod as Inspector Wilson * Campbell Singer as Sgt. Wright * Jack Stewart as Cutler * Michael Balfour as Chubby Price * Michael Ripper Michael George Ripper (27 January 1913 – 28 June 2000) was an English character actor. He began his film career in quota quickies in the 1930s and until the late 1950s was virtually unknown; he was seldom credited. Along with Michael Gough ... as George Steele * Joan Seton as Elsie * Edna Mo ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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The Dark Light (film)
''The Dark Light'' is a 1951 British thriller film directed by Vernon Sewell and starring Albert Lieven, David Greene, Norman Macowan. It was filmed at a rented country estate in Gilston and on location around Portsmouth.Chibnall & MacFarlane p.77 Synopsis The crew of a lighthouse take in what they assume to be the survivors of a shipwreck, but who turn out to be criminals on the run after a bank robbery. Cast * Albert Lieven as Mark * David Greene as Johnny * Norman Macowan as Rigby * Martin Benson as Luigi * Jack Stewart as Matt * Katharine Blake as Linda * Joan Carol as Joan * John Harvey as Roger * John Longden as Stephen Critical reception The ''Radio Times ''Radio Times'' (currently styled as ''RadioTimes'') is a British weekly listings magazine devoted to television and radio programme schedules, with other features such as interviews, film reviews and lifestyle items. Founded in May 1923 by J ...'' called it "dismal" writing that: Refere ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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To Have And To Hold (1951 Film)
''To Have and to Hold'' is a 1951 British drama film directed by Godfrey Grayson and starring Avis Scott, Patrick Barr and Robert Ayres. Facing death following a riding accident, a man spends his final days arranging the future romantic needs of his wife. Plot Following a riding accident, country gentleman Brian Harding (Patrick Barr) is crippled and facing imminent death. His final days are spent arranging the future security of his wife and daughter (Avis Scott & Eunice Gayson). This extends to encouraging his wife to developing one of her male friendships into a romantic relationship. Cast * Avis Scott as June * Patrick Barr as Brian * Robert Ayres as Max * Harry Fine as Robert * Ellen Pollock as Roberta * Richard Warner as Cyril * Eunice Gayson as Peggy * Peter Neil as Dr. Pritchard Critical reception The ''Radio Times ''Radio Times'' (currently styled as ''RadioTimes'') is a British weekly listings magazine devoted to television and radio programme sche ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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The Rossiter Case
''The Rossiter Case'' is a 1951 British crime film directed by Francis Searle and starring Helen Shingler, Clement McCallin, Sheila Burrell and Stanley Baker in a small role. A man has an affair with his disabled wife's sister - and when the sister is murdered, suspicion falls on him. Cast * Helen Shingler as Liz Rossiter * Clement McCallin as Peter Rossiter * Sheila Burrell as Honor * Frederick Leister as Sir James Ferguson * Ann Codrington as Marty * Henry Edwards as Doctor Bendix * Dorothy Batley as Nurse West * Gabrielle Blunt as Alice * Stanley Baker as Joe * Eleanor Bryan as Agnes * Ewen Solon Peter Ewen Solon (7 September 1917 – 7 July 1985) was a New Zealand-born actor, who worked extensively in both the United Kingdom and Australia. At the outbreak of World War II, Solon became a member of the First Echelon, 2nd NZEF that saw ... as Inspector * Robert Percival as Sergeant * Dennis Castle as Constable * Frederic Steger as Hobson * Anthony Allen as ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Cloudburst (1951 Film)
''Cloudburst'' is a 1951 British crime drama film produced by Hammer Films, directed by Francis Searle, starring Robert Preston and featuring Elizabeth Sellars, Harold Lang, Colin Tapley and Sheila Burrell. The script is based on a play written by Leo Marks, a wartime cryptographer for the Special Operations Executive, and later the author of a memoir about his wartime work, '' Between Silk and Cyanide'' (1998). Plot A World War II veteran, a former operative for the SOE, seeks revenge on the driver and passenger of a hit-and-run automobile that struck and killed his wife. Cast * Robert Preston as John Graham * Elizabeth Sellars as Carol Graham * Colin Tapley as Inspector Davis * Sheila Burrell as Lorna Dawson * Harold Lang as Mickie Fraser / Kid Python * Mary Germaine as Peggy Reece * George Woodbridge as Sergeant Ritchie * Lyn Evans as Chuck Peters * Thomas Heathcote as Jackie * Edith Sharpe as Mrs. Reece * Daphne Anderson as Kate * Edward Lexy as ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |