''The Frightened Man'' is a 1952 British

crime film Crime films, in the broadest sense, is a film genre inspired by and analogous to the crime fiction literary genre. Films of this genre generally involve various aspects of crime and its detection. Stylistically, the genre may overlap and combine ...

directed by

John Gilling John Gilling (29 May 1912 – 22 November 1984) was an English film director and screenwriter, born in London. He was known for his horror film, horror movies, especially those he made for Hammer Films, for whom he directed ''The Shadow of the ...

and starring

Dermot Walsh Dermot Walsh (10 September 1924 – 26 June 2002) was an Irish stage, film and television actor, known for portraying King Richard the Lionheart in the 1962 television series '' ''Richard the Lionheart'. Early life Born in Dublin, Walsh was t ...

Barbara Murray Barbara Ann Murray (27 September 1929 – 20 May 2014) was an English actress. Murray was most active in the 1940s and 1950s as a fresh-faced leading lady in many British films such as ''Passport to Pimlico'' (1949) and ''Meet Mr. Lucifer'' (19 ...

and

Charles Victor Charles Victor (10 February 1896 – 23 December 1965) was a British actor who appeared in many film and television roles between 1931 and 1965. He was born Charles Victor Harvey. Born in Southport, Lancashire, England, Victor was a fourth ...

. It is also known by the

alternative title An alternative title is a media sales device most prominently used in film distribution. Books and films are commonly released under a different title when they are screened or sold in a different country. This can vary from small change to the t ...

of ''Rosselli and Son'' and was shot at

Twickenham Twickenham is a suburban district in London, England. It is situated on the River Thames southwest of Charing Cross. Historically part of Middlesex, it has formed part of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames since 1965, and the boroug ...

and

Riverside Studios Riverside Studios is an arts centre on the banks of the River Thames in Hammersmith, London, England. The venue plays host to contemporary performance, film, visual art exhibitions and television production. Having closed for redevelopment in ...

. Its plot concerns a son of an antiques dealer who suffers a dramatic fall from grace.

Plot

Antiques dealer Roselli's dreams for his son Julius are disappointed when the young man is sent down from

Oxford University Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to the ...

for bad behaviour. Julius then gets involved with a gang of

Camden Town Camden Town (), often shortened to Camden, is a district of northwest London, England, north of Charing Cross. Historically in Middlesex, it is the administrative centre of the London Borough of Camden, and identified in the London Plan as o ...

jewel thieves. When they attempt to rob a warehouse Julius is injured in the getaway, but he continues his involvement and formulates a plan to steal diamonds from his wife’s employer in

Hatton Garden Hatton Garden is a street and commercial zone in the Holborn district of the London Borough of Camden, abutting the narrow precinct of Saffron Hill which then abuts the City of London. It takes its name from Sir Christopher Hatton, a favourit ...

. The gang leader agrees, but intends to cut out Roselli snr who, unknown to Julius is a partner in the gang.

Cast

as Julius Roselli *

as Amanda *

as Mr Roselli * John Blythe as Maxie * Michael Ward as Cornelius Hart *

Thora Hird Dame Thora Hird (28 May 1911 – 15 March 2003) was an English actress and comedian, presenter and writer. In a career spanning over 70 years, she appeared in more than 100 film and television roles, becoming a household name and a Briti ...

as Vera * John Horsley as Harry Armstrong * Annette D. Simmonds as Marcella * Martin Benson as Alec Stone *

Ballard Berkeley Ballard Blascheck (6 August 1904 – 16 January 1988), known professionally as Ballard Berkeley, was an English actor of stage and screen. He is best remembered for playing Major Gowen in the British television sitcom ''Fawlty Towers''. Life an ...

as Inspector Bligh *

Peter Bayliss Peter Bayliss (27 June 1922 – 29 July 2002) was an England, English actor. Bayliss was born in Kingston upon Thames and trained at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, Italia Conti Academy and the John Gielgud Company. More than six fe ...

as Bilton * Thomas Gallagher as Matthews

Critical reception

TV Guide TV Guide is an American digital media company that provides television program Television, sometimes shortened to TV, is a telecommunication medium for transmitting moving images and sound. The term can refer to a television set, or t ...

wrote: "this decent crime drama was written and directed by

, known for his efficient low-budget adventures and thrillers." *Britmovie calls the film a "decent if unremarkable second-feature crime drama featuring Irish actor

...Walsh's father is played by experienced character actor

, who performs his role with quiet, self-effacing distinction." *The film historians Steve Chibnall and Brian McFarlane note that "the film won considerable praise for being authentically staged, effectively directed, 'thrilling and human'.".Steve Chibnall & Brian McFarlane, ''The British 'B' Film'', Palgrave Macmillan, London, 2009, p. 85.

References

External links

* 1952 films British crime films 1952 crime films Films directed by John Gilling British black-and-white films Films shot at Twickenham Film Studios Films shot at Riverside Studios Films set in London 1950s English-language films 1950s British films English-language crime films {{1950s-UK-film-stub