- Film Review
- Reviewed By Tony Sloman
-
4 out of 5
This is a real original - a crime drama based on a novel by John Creasey (writing as JJ Marric) that was shot in England by western maestro John Ford, and which barely got noticed at the time. Though produced in colour as Gideon's Day, only black-and-white prints were shown in America, where the film was known as Gideon of Scotland Yard, though they were later restored. This cynical romp is extremely entertaining and contains a marvellous performance from Jack Hawkins as the Gideon of the title, who is followed by the camera on what must be the busiest day of his life. Hawkins was the only British actor to star for the three greatest American directors of their day: William Wyler in Ben-Hur, Howard Hawks in Land of the Pharaohs and Ford here.
Plot Summary
Crime drama starring Jack Hawkins. Over the course of one day, busy Scotland Yard Inspector George Gideon encounters a myriad of problems: allegations of corruption amongst the staff, a hit-and-run death and a killer on the loose.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Inspector George Gideon
- Jack Hawkins
- Joanna Delafield
- Dianne Foster
- Kate Gideon
- Anna Lee
- Sally Gideon
- Anna Massey
- PC Simon Farnaby-Green
- Andrew Ray
- Herbert "Birdy" Sparrow
- Cyril Cusack
- Mason
- James Hayter
- Paul Delafield
- Ronald Howard
- The Chief
- Howard Marion-Crawford
- Arthur Sayer
- Laurence Naismith
- Sergeant Kirby
- Derek Bond
- Mrs Kirby
- Grizelda Hervey
- Detective Sergeant Liggott
- Frank Lawton
- Ponsford, The Duke
- John Loder
- Mrs Saparelli
- Marjorie Rhodes
- Dolly Saparelli
- Hermione Bell
- Sergeant Golightly
- Michael Trubshawe
- Reverend Julian Small
- Jack Watling
- Reverend Mr Courtney
- Henry Longhurst
- Sir Rupert Bellamy
- Michael Shepley
- Inspector Cameron
- Nigel Fitzgerald
- Dawson
- Robert Raglan
- Ethel Sparrow
- Maureen Potter
- Driver
- Barry Keegan
- Vicar's daughter
- Doreen Madden
- Feeney
- Donal Donnelly
- Simmo
- Dervis Ward
- Walker
- Charles Maunsell
- Judge
- Miles Malleson
- Fitzhubert
- Francis Crowdy
- Fitzhubert's assistant
- David Aylmer
- Fitzhubert's assistant
- Brian Smith (1)
- Lady Bellamy
- Joan Ingram
- Ronnie Gideon
- Malcolm Ranson
- Jane Gideon
- Mavis Ranson
- Chancery Lane's Policeman
- Stuart Saunders
- Inspector Gillick
- John Warwick
Crew
- Director
- John Ford
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