''The Hornet's Nest'' is a 1955 British crime comedy film directed by Charles Saunders and starring

Paul Carpenter Paul Carpenter may refer to: *Paul Carpenter (actor) (1921–1964), Canadian actor and singer * Paul Carpenter (baseball) (1894–1968), minor league baseball player * Paul B. Carpenter (1928–2002), American politician See also *Paul Carpenter St ...

, June Thorburn, and

Marla Landi Marla Landi, Lady Dashwood (born Marcella Teresa Scarafia in 1933, Turin, Italy) is an Italian-born British film actress and television presenter. Career Landi's major roles included '' Across the Bridge'' (1957), '' Dublin Nightmare'' (1958), ...

. It was released in May 1955.

Plot

Thief Posh Peterson hides his loot of £20,000 worth of jewels under the floor boards of an abandoned scow (named ''The Hornet's Nest'') moored in London's Chelsea Embankment, but he is captured and thrown in jail after assaulting someone. Two young models, Pat and Terry, rent the vessel as a

houseboat A houseboat is a boat that has been designed or modified to be used primarily as a home. Most houseboats are not motorized as they are usually moored or kept stationary at a fixed point, and often tethered to land to provide utilities. How ...

through Bob Bartlett, a friendly local salvage dealer acting as an intermediary for the rental agency. Upon his release, Posh and his accomplices, headed by Mr Arnold, attempt to recover the loot, but it is no longer under the floor boards. After several plot twists, Bartlett eventually brings the crooks to justice. Having observed all these events from their vantage point, two neighbouring elderly sisters, Becky and Rachael Crumb, end up with the goods, which they gift to the two models to help them claim the £2,000 reward money.

Cast

as Bob Bartlett * June Thorburn as Pat *

as Terry Savarese * Alexander Gauge as Mr. Arnold * Charles Farrell as Posh Peterson * Larry Burns as Alfie * Christine Silver as Becky Crumb * Nora Nicholson as Rachael Crumb * Christopher Steele as Vicar *

Jan Holden Valerie Jeanne Wilkinson (9 May 1931 – 11 October 2005) was an English actress known as Jan Holden, using her mother's maiden name as a stage name. In theatre she was known for her performances in light comedy and appeared in several telev ...

as Miss Wentworth * Ronnie Stevens as Bill, the Photographer *

Max Brimmell Max Brimmell (25 June 1920 in London – 17 February 1997 in Sussex) was a British actor An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre o ...

as Staines * Colin Douglas as Martin * Wilfred Fletcher as Woolgar *

Trevor Reid Trevor Reid (25 January 190816 April 1965) was an English actor. Born in Liverpool, Lancashire, England, UK. He acted in 47 films from 1938 to 1965. He died at age 57 in London. Selected filmography * ''Dangerous Cargo'' (1954) - Watson * ''M ...

as Detective Sergeant Filson * Gaylord Cavallaro as Humphrey Holder * Anita Bolster as Miss Anderson * Stuart Nichol as Publican (uncredited)

References

External links

* * * 1955 films 1950s crime comedy films British black-and-white films British comedy films British detective films British police films British thriller films Films directed by Charles Saunders Films set in London Films shot in London Films shot at Riverside Studios 1950s English-language films 1950s British films {{1950s-UK-film-stub