Tiger by the Tail is a 1955 British crime thriller film directed by John Gilling and starring Larry Parks, Constance Smith, Lisa Daniely and Donald Stewart.^[1] It is an adaptation of the novel Never Come Back by John Mair. Larry Parks, who had played Al Jolson in The Jolson Story, had fallen foul of America's House Un-American Activities Committee, and had his first film role for four years starring in this British low-budgeter.^[2] It was shot at Walton Studios and on location around London. In 1958 it was distributed in the United States by United Artists under the title Cross-Up.^[3]

An American journalist works to expose a criminal gang in London. However, his investigation of their counterfeiting activities leads to his kidnapping by the gang.

• Larry Parks as John Desmond
• Constance Smith as Jane Claymore
• Lisa Daniely as Anna Ray
• Cyril Chamberlain as Foster
• Donald Stewart as Macauly
• Ronan O'Casey as Nick
• Alexander Gauge as Fitzgerald
• Ronald Leigh-Hunt as Doctor Scott
• June Rodney as Young Psychiatric Nurse
• Joan Heal as Annabella
• Thora Hird as Mary
• Doris Hare as Nurse Brady
• Marie Bryant as Melodie
• Russell Westwood as Sam
• John H. Watson as Truscott
• Robert Moore as Clarke
• Hal Osmond as Charlie
• Frank Forsyth as Sergeant Gross
• Alastair Hunter as Hotel Clerk
• Margot Bryant as Cleaning Woman

• The Radio Times describes the film as "a tatty little tale".^[4]
• Sky Movies calls it a "thoroughly routine British `B' thriller. ... Familiar situations and backdrops give a competent cast ... little chance to elevate their material above the ordinary. Director John Gilling, who also co-scripted, ensures the thriller is competent in all departments, if no more."^[5]
• Derek Winnert observes that "John Gilling puts some energy into a busy though stock thriller plot".^[6]