The Dark Light is a 1951 British second feature[1] thriller film directed and written by Vernon Sewell and starring Albert Lieven, David Greene and Norman Macowan.[2]
Plot
The crew of a lighthouse take in what they assume to be the survivors of a shipwreck, but who turn out to be criminals on the run after a bank robbery.
Cast
- Albert Lieven as Mark
- David Greene as Johnny
- Norman Macowan as Rigby
- Martin Benson as Luigi
- Jack Stewart as Matt
- Katharine Blake as Linda
- Joan Carol as Joan
- John Harvey as Roger
- John Longden as Stephen
Production
It was filmed at a rented country estate in Gilston and on location around Portsmouth.[1]: 77 Sewell used his own boat.[3]
Critical reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "A good setting and an adequate idea are wasted in a film which suffers from incoherent plot development, clumsy handling, and generally indifferent performances."[4]
Picturegoer wrote: "An untidy and dilatory production with a lighthouse as the main setting. The lighthouse background is out of the ordinary, but the story is unconvincing, and both acting and dialogue are stilted."[5]
Picture Show wrote: "'Somewhat highly coloured melodrama."[6]
The Radio Times called it "dismal" writing: "Quota quickie veteran Vernon Sewell gets matters off to a promising start as a desperate gang of bank robbers are rescued from the stormy sea by a lighthouse crew. By tossing away the dramatic possibilities of the claustrophobic setting, however, he is unable to sustain more than a modicum of tension as the crew begin scheming to keep the swag for themselves, rather than let justice take its course."[7]
References
- ^ a b Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 119. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
- ^ "The Dark Light". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
- ^ Fowler, Roy (8 July 1994). "Vernon Sewell". British Entertainment History Project.
- ^ "The Dark Light". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 18 (204): 263. 1 January 1951 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "The Dark Light". Picturegoer. 21: 18. 3 April 1951 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "The Dark Light". Picture Show. 56 (1469): 10. 26 May 1951 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "The Dark Light - Film from RadioTimes".
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