Anyone else have a fondness for these 50s and 60s British B-movies? I certainly miss seeing them in the ITV Night-time schedules. And as none of them will ever be released on DVD it seems like it's just a matter of time before they vanish forever. I can't see the BFI doing restoration work on this or Cover Girl Killer (1959) somehow.
shareI agree with your sentiments about this type of film. I too lament that they have, largely, disappeared from the television schedules. Granada used to be a good source for them. The film here, "Smokescreen", is one of the best. I also particularly like "The Hi-Jackers" (1963) and was impressed by "Master Spy" (1964), which was shown recently on B.B.C.-2.
As to the chances of a DVD release, I would have agreed with you previously, but now I am not so sure. There have started to appear several low- and medium-budget British films from the 1940s and 1950s, often in compilations, so it may be that this practice will be broadened in the next couple of years.
I am pleased to tell you that Smokescreen along with several more British b-movies have been released on DVD. Smokescreen has been coupled with another Butcher's Film Distributors' film, The Hi-Jackers.
shareThank you for this information. This will be a really good double bill, both for people familiar with these 1960s low-budget British films and also as an introduction for others. It is notable that they have the same writer-director.
One of the pleasures, integral not just peripheral, of watching films of this type is identifying members of the supporting cast. This certainly applies to these two films, which have several recognizable figures from the period.
Thanks for the info. I'm pleased, but also very surprised that this has turned up on DVD; it isn't alone either, as it appears that loads of these types of films are being released on DVD at bargain prices.
shareI love them too. Thankfully taped many as they were shown on ITV Nightime.
The Movies4Men channel is currently showing at least 1, sometimes 2, a day.
Renown Pictures have restored quite a few of these and released them as double-feature dvds.As already mentioned they`re also showing on Movies4 Men as well and must be said that the prints are pretty good."Master Spy" and "Smokescreen" are the best of the bunch so far.
shareThanks for the tip.
Marlon, Claudia and Dimby the cats 1989-2005, 2007 and 2010.
Hello Squeeth due!Most of the stuff on Movies4Men is cheap Italian rubbish but strangely quite enjoyable.This however is a low-budget quality British film with Peter Vaughn in his only starring role.Let me know what you think.
shareKlaatu Earthling! Cinema Paradiso has the collection and that one should be here tomorrow. I keep giving the Italian toga-rippers a go but even with the sound off, I'm finding it hard work. ;o)
Marlon, Claudia and Dimby the cats 1989-2005, 2007 and 2010.
The Hi-Jackers arrived today, nice little proto-Sweeney episode. I really liked Glyn Edwards' preference for not bothering with refinements and wanting to rob lorries by belting the driver wiv an iron bar. ;O)
Marlon, Claudia and Dimby the cats 1989-2005, 2007 and 2010.
I've just seen 'Smokescreen' on Movies4Men for the first time. Peter Vaughan is very good in it. Pity that it's his only starring role. I like him as a lecher in Hammer's 'Die Die My Darling' which was made around about the same time. I have it on DVD under that title. But I believe it was originally called 'Fanatic.' Peter Vaughan really uses his creepy eyes well in that film.
share[deleted]
Just been watching him in a long-forgotten film called "The Blockhouse" with Peter Sellars and a recent episode of "Game of Thrones"-still working at 94!
shareAs I am sure a lot of people here know by now, Smokescreen and a multitude of other lesser-known British films, mainly from between about 1930 and 1980 are being shown on the Talking Pictures TV channel in the UK.
Many of them are also available on DVD now from Renown Pictures.