Little_Red_Monkey

<i>Little Red Monkey</i>

Little Red Monkey

1955 British film by Ken Hughes

Little Red Monkey (U.S. title: The Case of the Red Monkey) is a 1955 British thriller film directed by Ken Hughes and starring Richard Conte, Rona Anderson and Russell Napier.[1] The screenplay was by Hughes and James Eastwood, based on the 1953 BBC Television series of the same name written by Eric Maschwitz.[2]

Quick Facts Little Red Monkey, Directed by ...

Detectives from Scotland Yard investigate a series of murders of leading nuclear scientists, and are intrigued by strange reports received about the crimes.

The film was an international hit, and along with Confession (1955) proved a breakthrough for Anglo-Amalgamated. After its success the company began making more expensive productions, often hiring American stars for international appeal.[3][4]

Cast

Production

The film was made by Anglo-Amalgamated at Merton Park Studios, a co-production with Anglo Guild.[5][6]

Critical reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin said: "Some efficient photography and editing eke out the meagre excitements".[7]

Variety wrote: “Like many British-produced pictures, it lacks American-type pace and is a routine entry in the program market. Conte portrays a U.S. State Dept. officer  ... but displays little of the dash and ingenuity such a part calls for."[8]

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as “average” and wrote: “Conte and direction a cut above the rest in this moderately exciting thriller".[9]

The Radio Times Guide to Films gave the film 3/5 stars, writing: "Ken Hughes honed his skills as a director of thrillers working on the Scotland Yard B-movie series. Consequently, this quota quickie has a great deal more substance and style than many of its contemporaries.  ... Hughes keeps the action on the boil, while Russell Napier and Rona Anderson are fine as a Scotland Yard detective and his niece."[10]

References

  1. [1]
    "Little Red Monkey". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  2. [2]
    "Donald Houston and Honor Blackman in 'Little Red Monkey'". BBC Genome Project. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  3. [3]
    Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 99. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
  4. [4]
    Vagg, Stephen (14 November 2020). "Ken Hughes Forgotten Auteur". Filmink.
  5. [5]
    Drama: Maggie McNamara Due Soon for 'Black Widow'; Conte Set for Thriller. Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 30 Apr 1954: A11
  6. [6]
    Todon Doing 6th Picture Los Angeles Times 5 Feb 1956: D3.
  7. [7]
    "Impact". Monthly Film Bulletin. 22 (253): 40. 1 January 1955.
  8. [8]
    "Little Red Monkey". Variety. 199: 6. August 1955.
  9. [9]
    Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 339. ISBN 0-7134-1874-5.
  10. [10]
    Radio Times Guide to Films (18th ed.). London: Immediate Media Company. 2017. p. 365. ISBN 9780992936440.
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