Rent The Long Arm (1956)

Of a bygone age ... - The Long Arm review by AB

Starring that great actor Jack Hawkins, a storyline of police detective work, home lives, interactions set in a time that evokes memories of nostalgia, yet the storyline still contains suspense and parallel methods still applicable to today's society. A couple of nice twists in the storyline

A Safe Bet. - The Long Arm review by NC

Scotland Yard investigate a robbery from a safe, where the perpetrator has seemingly vanished into thin air. You could be forgiven for thinking this will be just another of those crime flicks of which hundreds were made in that era - it even has Jack Hawkins as the superintendent in charge of the case. But it is worth a stop and search. A good plot, very good dialogue, and excellent acting lift it high above the usual fare.

It's a police procedural, and the painstaking way they inch their way towards the solution is fascinating, because done so well. And not without humour: one scene at a remote garage in North Wales is a delight.

There is one sizeable irritation to 'The Long Arm': Superintendent Halliday's private life. I realise these things are put in to add a human account, but when the main story is a garment as well made as this, the scenes at home are like dropped stitches. These private life bits were always iffy in the case of cop programmes, but today's film-makers obviously have a different opinion. Half the running time seems to be made up of family ructions. When the inevitable problem daughter enters I usually exit.

The cast is on this side of superb. A young John Stratton plays the Super's sidekick. Early career bit parts are given to Ian Bannen, Alec McCowen and William Mervyn. There are even uncredited parts for Stratford Johns and Frederick Treves.

A good film, and would have got more than three stars if it wasn't for the 'Darling, I can't make it tomorrow' blights.

Crime Drama. - The Long Arm review by Steve

Overlooked, ultra-stylish police procedural which is one of the great British crime dramas. Jack Hawkins plays the dedicated, seen-it-all Scotland Yard detective looking into a number of related safe jobs which eventually lead to murder. Director Charles Frend tells the absorbing story brilliantly, with a realist approach and crisp noir visuals.

Hawkins is ideal casting as the dedicated, waspish Superintendent. World weary, but not quite cynical. He's a conspicuously British presence in a wonderful cast of familiar stalwarts, with Ursula Howells a stand-out. The locations and sets are just right and there's a persuasive impression of a bustling London.

There are a few genre staples, like the experienced cop paired with an enthusiastic beginner (John Stratton). The twist here is the new boy is scarily competent. Also, the senior detective is married to his job and neglects his wife and boy and goes off chasing leads in the middle of dinner. But these conventions are made fresh and alive.

It's a late Ealing film which hits all the right notes. The excellent, laconic script is witty without being flashy and unfolds at a knockout pace. Sometimes funny, but then succinctly moving. It's an understated, unpretentious cop flick and a genre masterpiece which should be far better known.