''Police Dog '' is a 1955 British second feature ('B') crime film directed and written by

Derek Twist Derek Norman Twist (26 May 190515 August 1979) was a British screenwriter, film editor and director. He was sometimes credited as Derek N. Twist. During the 1930s he worked at British Gaumont. Early life Twist was born in Paddington area of L ...

and starring

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- ...

Nora Gordon ''Nora Gordon'' (29 November 1893 – 11 May 1970) was a British film and television actress. She was married to Leonard Sharp. Her daughter was actress Dorothy Gordon. She also appeared in several British Ministry of Information films, particu ...

, Cecil Brock,

John Le Mesurier John Le Mesurier (, born John Elton Le Mesurier Halliley; 5 April 191215 November 1983) was an English actor. He is probably best remembered for his comedic role as Sergeant Arthur Wilson in the BBC television situation com ...

, James Gilbert, and

Christopher Lee Sir Christopher Frank Carandini Lee (27 May 1922 – 7 June 2015) was an English actor and singer. In a career spanning more than sixty years, Lee became known as an actor with a deep and commanding voice who often portrayed villains in horr ...

Plot

Constables Mason and Lade spot a burglar leaving the scene of the crime and both give chase, but Lade is badly shot by the burglar before Mason can catch up. Back at the police station Mason befriends Rex, a stray Alsatian dog recently brought in by another officer. Now living abroad, its owners agree to donate it to the police and it and Mason begin training together, causing tensions back home with Mason's girlfriend Pat Lewis, daughter of his landlady and her late policeman husband – Pat resents being unable to treat Rex as a pet and his drawing Mason's attention away from their relationship. Rex and Mason complete their training and go on patrol on the streets of

Hampstead Hampstead () is an area in London, England, which lies northwest of Charing Cross, located mainly in the London Borough of Camden, with a small part in the London Borough of Barnet. It borders Highgate and Golders Green to the north, Belsiz ...

. In the meantime, Lade has died of his injuries and his killer continues to lie low, taking on temporary work at a builder's until the CID arrive and he has to flee. Mason and Pat's relationship becomes more and more strained and he decides to move himself and Rex out. Soon afterwards he and Rex are deployed to a factory where Hill's still-armed killer is breaking into a safe. They pursue him, with Rex holding onto the killer long enough to make an arrest. Meaning to meet Mason for a final discussion about their relationship, Pat arrives at the crime scene and instead reconciles with both Mason and Rex.

Cast

Joan Rice Joan Rice (3 February 1930 – 1 January 1997) was an English film actress. Rice is best known for her role as Dalabo in the film '' His Majesty O'Keefe'' (1954) which co-starred Burt Lancaster. Apart from that she played Maid Marian in '' T ...

as Pat Lewis *

Tim Turner John Freeman Turner, known by the stage name Tim Turner (7 September 1924 – 1987), was an English actor who performed during the 1950s and 1960s. Life and career Turner was born in Bexley, Kent. Before becoming a film and television actor ...

as Frank Mason *

Sandra Dorne Sandra Dorne (born Joan Smith; 19 June 1924 – 25 December 1992) was a British actress. Career Also known as Sandra Holt, Dorne was often known in the 1950s as the B-film Diana Dors. As a platinum blonde, she was a regular female lead ...

as the Blonde *

as Sergeant *Rex III as the dog *

as Mrs Lewis *Cecil Brock as crook *

as C.I.D. inspector *James Gilbert as Police Constable Lade *

as Police Constable Johnny *

Ian Fleming Ian Lancaster Fleming (28 May 1908 – 12 August 1964) was a British writer, 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., and his ...

as man on the heath

Production

The film was made at National Studios in

Borehamwood Borehamwood (, historically also Boreham Wood) is a town in southern Hertfordshire, England, from Charing Cross. Borehamwood has a population of 36,322, and is within the London commuter belt. The town's film and TV studios are commonly know ...

England, and on location. A collection of then-and-now location stills and corresponding contemporary photographs is hosted at reelstreets.com.

Critical reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin The ''Monthly Film Bulletin'' was a periodical of the British Film Institute published monthly from February 1934 until April 1991, when it merged with '' Sight & Sound''. It reviewed all films on release in the United Kingdom, including those wi ...

'' wrote: "Artlessly and unpretentiously made, this is a mildly pleasing little thriller. Its main attraction – particularly for young audiences – is the dog star, and the illustration of the methods used in training him." ''

Kine Weekly ''Kinematograph Weekly'', popularly known as ''Kine Weekly'', was a trade paper catering to the British film industry between 1889 and 1971. Etymology The word Kinematograph was derived from the Greek ' Kinumai ', (to move, to be in motion, to ...

'' wrote: "The picture, although made with the full co-operation of the authorities, fails fully to convince, but at least it ends in exciting style. Joan Rice has little to do as Pat, Tim Turner lacks experience as Frank, and Cecil Brock and Sandra Dorne fall short of demands as the killer and his moll respectively. The rest of the humans are equally transparent, but Rex undoubtedly does his stuff. In a word, the film is made, or, rather, saved by the pooch." ''

TV Guide TV Guide is an American digital media In mass communication, digital media is any media (communication), communication media that operates in conjunction with various encoded machine-readable data formats. Digital content can be created, vi ...

'' noted an "average police drama, produced under the auspices of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.'s, production company." ''

Radio Times ''Radio Times'' 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 September 1923 by John Reith, then general manage ...

'' called the film a "competent

quota quickie The Cinematograph Films Act 1927 ( 17 & 18 Geo. 5. c. 29) was an act of the UK Parliament designed to stimulate the declining British film industry. It received royal assent on 22 December 1927 and came into force on 1 April 1928. Description T ...

...It's hardly a baffling mystery even

Scooby-Doo ''Scooby-Doo'' is an American media franchise owned by Warner Bros., Warner Bros. Entertainment and created in 1969 by writers Joe Ruby and Ken Spears through their animated series, ''Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!'', for Hanna-Barbera (which wa ...

would have sussed it! However, it's always nice to see class acts like John Le Mesurier and Christopher Lee, no matter how briefly."

References

External links

* {{Derek Twist British crime films 1955 films Films directed by Derek Twist 1955 crime films Fiction about police dogs Films shot at British National Studios 1950s English-language films 1950s British films British black-and-white films Films scored by Bretton Byrd English-language crime films