''Delayed Action'' is a 1954 British

film noir Film noir (; ) is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and motivations. The 1940s and 1950s are generally regarded as the "classic period" of American ' ...

mystery film directed by John Harlow and starring Robert Ayres, June Thorburn and Alan Wheatley. It was produced as a second feature for release by General Film Distributors. It was shot at Twickenham Studios in London with sets designed by the

art director Art director is the title for a variety of similar job functions in theater, advertising, marketing, publishing, fashion, film industry, film and television, the Internet, and video games. It is the charge of a sole art director to supervise and ...

Wilfred Arnold.

Plot

Two criminals do a deal with a suicidal man, who will confess to crimes they have committed before killing himself. However he subsequently has a change of heart.

Cast

* Robert Ayres as Ned Ellison * June Thorburn as Anne Curlew * Alan Wheatley as Mark Cruden * Bruce Seton as Sellars * Michael Balfour as Honey * Michael Kelly as Lobb * John Horsley as Worsley * Olive Kirby as Angela Bentley *

Ballard Berkeley Ballard Blascheck (6 August 1904 – 16 January 1988), known professionally as Ballard Berkeley, was an English actor of stage and screen. He is best remembered for playing Major Gowen in the British television sitcom ''Fawlty Towers''. Life an ...

as Insp. Crane *

Ian Fleming Ian Lancaster Fleming (28 May 1908 – 12 August 1964) was a British writer who is best known for his postwar ''James Bond'' series of spy novels. Fleming came from a wealthy family connected to the merchant bank Robert Fleming & Co., a ...

as Dr. Jepson * Myrtle Reed as Jackie *

Dennis Chinnery Dennis Chinnery (14 May 1927 – 29 February 2012) was a British actor, noted for his performances in television. Following National service in the navy, he studied acting at RADA, graduating in 1949. His theatre work included appearances a ...

as Bank cashier * Charles Lamb as Bank clerk * Arthur Hewlett as Battersby (uncredited) * Frederick Leister as Sir Francis Henry (uncredited)

Critical reception

* TV Guide wrote, "robbers pay suicidal writer Ayres to confess to their crime and kill himself should their scheme fail. An interesting premise in an otherwise dull movie." *

Radio Times ''Radio Times'' (currently styled as ''RadioTimes'') is a British weekly listings magazine devoted to television and radio programme schedules, with other features such as interviews, film reviews and lifestyle items. Founded in May 1923 by J ...

noted, "the prolific B-team of Monty Berman and Robert S Baker were the brains behind this moody little thriller. There's a hint here of the ingenuity that would lead to their TV success with such series as The Saint and Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)."

References

External links

* 1954 films British mystery films Films directed by John Harlow 1950s mystery films Films shot at Twickenham Film Studios 1950s English-language films British black-and-white films 1950s British films {{1950s-UK-film-stub