The Nursemaid Who Disappeared

The Nursemaid Who Disappeared
Lesley Brook and Peter Coke in a scene from the film[1]
Directed byArthur B. Woods
Screenplay byConnery Chappell
Paul Gangelin
Based onnovel The Nursemaid Who Disappeared by Philip Macdonald[2]
Produced byJerome Jackson (executive producer)
StarringArthur Margetson
Peter Coke
Lesley Brook
CinematographyBasil Emmott
Edited byLeslie Norman (uncredited)
Production
company
Warner Brothers-First National Productions
Distributed byWarner Bros. (UK)
Release date
  • March 1939 (1939-03) (UK)
Running time
86 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

The Nursemaid Who Disappeared is a 1939 British crime film directed by Arthur B. Woods and starring Ronald Shiner, Ian Fleming, Arthur Margetson, Peter Coke and Edward Chapman.[3] It was written by Connery Chappell and Paul Gangelinbased on the 1938 novel by Philip MacDonald, and was produced by Warner Brothers–First National Productions.[4]

Plot

A playwright overhears a gang of men plotting a kidnapping and enlists the assistance of a detective to investigate them. They soon find that the ring is fronted by a bogus employment agency that sends "clients" to scope potential victims.[5]

Cast

Reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "This ingenious and suspenseful story has been cleverly adapted and most efficiently directed. Interest is held from beginning to end. Admirable team-work on the part of the cast, and careful attention to atmosphere and correct detail are mainly responsible for this satisfactory result. ... Arthur Margetson makes a competent Anthony Gethryn. He impresses as a clever detective, though perhaps lacking in the charm which distinguishes the hero of the book. Peter Coke is good as Tom, and the supporting players give of their best."[6]

Kine Weekly wrote: "Here we have a first-class example of popular crime fiction. The round-up of a ruthless gang of kidnappers is the kernel of the ingeniously planned plot, and fundamentals, suspense and excitement commingle in arresting order. The climax is terrific. Convincing characterisation and ambitious staging consolidate mass appeal. Excellent general booking."[7]

The Daily Film Renter wrote: "Well acted, and interestingly staged melodrama of excellent popular calibre,"[8]

Picturegoer wrote: "Arthur Margetson scores by his cool, easy manner as a private detective who tracks down the criminals in a smashing climax. Other good performances come from Peter Coke as a playwright whose overhearing of a kidnapping plot leads to adventure, and Leslie Brooks is good as his fiancee. The master crook is well characterized by Edward Chapman."[9]

References

  1. ^ "The Nursemaid Who Disappeared". The Daily Film Renter (3655): 168. 2 January 1939. ProQuest 2826358984.
  2. ^ Goble, Alan (8 September 2011). The Complete Index to Literary Sources in Film. Walter de Gruyter. ISBN 9783110951943 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ "The Nursemaid Who Disappeared". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  4. ^ "The Nursemaid Who Disappeared (1938)". BFI. Archived from the original on 29 July 2016.
  5. ^ "The Nursemaid Who Disappeared (1939) – Arthur B. Woods – Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related – AllMovie". AllMovie.
  6. ^ "The Nursemaid Who Disappeared". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 6 (61): 41. 1 January 1939. ProQuest 1305800284.
  7. ^ "The Nursemaid Who Disappeared". Kine Weekly. 265 (1664): 28. 9 March 1939. ProQuest 2339721858.
  8. ^ "The Nursemaid Who Disappeared". The Daily Film Renter (3708): 11. 3 March 1939. ProQuest 2826361452.
  9. ^ "The Nursemaid Who Disappeared". Picturegoer. 9: 20. 3 July 1939. ProQuest 1771148561.
allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Nursemaid_Who_Disappeared