''The Girl on the Pier'' is a 1953 British crime film produced by John Temple-Smith, directed by

Lance Comfort Lance Comfort (11 August 1908 – 25 August 1966) was an English film director. In a career spanning over 25 years, he became one of the most prolific film directors in Britain, though he never gained critical attention and remained on the ...

and starring

Veronica Hurst Veronica Patricia Hurst (born Patricia Wilmshurst; 11 November 1931 – 15 November 2022) was a British film, stage and television actress. Hurst was born in Malta and brought up in Tooting, London. Early career Hurst was awarded the Leverhul ...

Ron Randell Ron is a shortening of the name Ronald. Ron or RON may also refer to: Arts and media * Big Ron (''EastEnders''), a TV character * Ron (''King of Fighters''), a video game character *Ron Douglas, the protagonist in '' Lucky Stiff'' played by Joe ...

, Brian Roper,

Campbell Singer Campbell Singer (born Jacob Kobel Singer; 16 March 1909 – 16 February 1976) was a British character actor who featured in a number of stage, film and television roles during his long career. He was also a playwright and dramatist. Life He was ...

and Anthony Valentine.

Plot

Inspector Chubb (

Charles Victor Charles Victor (10 February 1896 – 23 December 1965) was a British actor who appeared in many film and television roles between 1931 and 1965. He was born Charles Victor Harvey. Born in Southport, Lancashire, England, Victor was a fourth ...

) dictates a warrant for arrest for murder. He then takes a car to the railway station, where he catches a train to Brighton with his wife and young son. Cathy, their teenage daughter, chats up a young crime reporter, Ronnie Hall, at the bar. On

Brighton Pier The Brighton Palace Pier, commonly known as Brighton Pier or the Palace Pier, is a Grade II* listed pleasure pier in Brighton, England, located in the city centre opposite the Old Steine. Established in 1899, it was the third pier to be const ...

, ex-convict Nick Lane (

), who has recently started working on the pier with a dance band as clarinetist and vocalist, flirts with Rita Hammond, talking of their assignation the night before and arranging to meet her at the dance that night. Nick surprises Rita by greeting her husband Joe Hammond as an old friend. The men go to Joe's office and Nick challenges Joe regarding the missing loot from a previous crime. He reveals that Hammond used to be called Harper. In the Chamber of Horrors section of Joe's Wax House, young Charlie Chubb ( Anthony Valentine) hears part of the conversation. His mum (

Marjorie Rhodes Marjorie Rhodes (9 April 1897 – 4 July 1979) was a British actress. She was born Millicent Wise in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire. One of her better-known roles was as Lucy Fitton, the mother in Bill Naughton's play '' All in Good Time''. Sh ...

) finds him still hanging around the pierside amusements. At the dance on the pier, Nick hooks up with Rita and gets inside information on Joe. Hammond spots them kissing under the pier. After Rita leaves, they fight. Nick wins and also threatens to blackmail him. Joe demands that Rita does not see Nick again. While Rita sees Nick on the beach, Joe empties the safe and also takes out a revolver. Charlie is asked to take a note to the band singer. Charlie thinks he sees Joe kill Rita and tells his dad, but Rita is still alive. Nick tells the young reporter that Hammond is Harper. The reporter, Cathy, and Charlie go to the library and find newspaper cuttings connecting Nick to "Harper" in a robbery 4 years before. Charlie sees a notice for a rehearsal and, connects this with what he saw, and believes the murder will actually happen that night. Charlie tails Hammond/Harper, and the reporter tells his dad their theory. Despite the warning in advance, Nick gets shot by Hammond (who has disguised himself as a clown in his waxworks) without police intervention. Rita arrives and faints. When the police arrive, Hammond "hides in plain sight" as a waxwork, but Charlie sees him move. A pursuit throughout the pier ensues, ending with Hammond falling into the sea and drowning.

Cast

as Rita Hammond *

as Nick Lane *

as Inspector Chubb *

as Mrs Chubb *

as Joe Hammond *

Eileen Moore Eileen Moore (born August 1932 in London, England) is a British actress. She is best known as Sheila in the film ''An Inspector Calls''. Life Moore was born in London in August 1932. She was married to actor George Cole from 1954 until their divo ...

as Cathy Chubb * Brian Roper as Ronnie Hall * Anthony Valentine as Charlie Chubb

Critical reception

'' Allmovie'' wrote that the film "doesn't pretend to be a classic; on its own terms, it's an agreeable 65 minutes out of your life."

References

External links

* 1953 films 1953 crime films Films directed by Lance Comfort British crime films British black-and-white films 1950s English-language films 1950s British films {{1950s-crime-film-stub