Once a Crook
Once a Crook is a 1941 British crime film directed by Herbert Mason, produced by Edward Black for 20th Century Fox and featuring Gordon Harker, Sydney Howard, Bernard Lee, Kathleen Harrison, and Raymond Huntley.[1] It is an adaptation to the big screen from a stage play by Evadne Price and Ken Attiwell.[2]
| Once a Crook | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Herbert Mason |
| Written by | Roger Burford |
| Produced by | Edward Black |
| Starring | Gordon Harker Sydney Howard Bernard Lee Kathleen Harrison Raymond Huntley |
| Cinematography | Arthur Crabtree |
| Edited by | R. E. Dearing |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | 20th Century-Fox |
Release date |
|
Running time | 78 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Plot summary
Charlie Hopkins (Gordon Harker) is a retired burglar with an expertise in safecracking. His ex-partner The Duke (Bernard Lee) holds a grudge against Charlie, since he believes he ratted him out and sent him to jail. The Duke is out for revenge against Charlie, and hires Bill Hopkins (Cyril Cusack), Charlie's son, to help him perform a hit, with an intention to frame the kid. The Duke's plan doesn't work out, since Bill turns out to be an even better safecracker than his old man. After many complications along the road, the hit is a success, and The Duke is bereaved of his revenge, ultimately stopped by his good-hearted sweetheart, Estelle (Carla Lehmann).[3]
Cast
- Gordon Harker as Charlie Hopkins
- Sydney Howard as Hallelujah Harry
- Kathleen Harrison as Auntie
- Carla Lehmann as Estelle
- Bernard Lee as The Duke
- Cyril Cusack as Bill Hopkins
- Diana King as Bessie
- Joss Ambler as Inspector Marsh
- Charles Lamb as Joseph
- Raymond Huntley as Prison Governor
- Felix Aylmer as King's Counsel
- John Salew as Solicitor
- Wally Patch as Warder
- Frank Pettingell as The Captain
References
- "Once a Crook (1941)". Archived from the original on 28 September 2016.
- Gifford, Denis (1 April 2016). British Film Catalogue: Two Volume Set - The Fiction Film/The Non-Fiction Film. Routledge. ISBN 9781317740636 – via Google Books.
- Hal Erickson. "Movie Reviews". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Baseline & All Movie Guide. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013.
Bibliography
- Quinlan, David. (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928-1959. BT Batsford Ltd