Brass Monkey (film)

Brass Monkey is a 1948 British comedy thriller with musical asides, directed by Thornton Freeland. It stars Carroll Levis, a radio variety show host and talent scout (known as "Britain's favourite Canadian") and American actress Carole Landis in her last film. Also known as The Lucky Mascot, the film features an early appearance by comic actor Terry-Thomas, playing himself.[1]

Brass Monkey
Directed byThornton Freeland
dialogue director
Denny Freeman
Written byAlec Coppel
additional dialogue
William Freshman
Vernon Sylvaine
Robert Buckland
Based onan original story by Alec Coppel
Thornton Freeland
Produced byN.A. Bronsten
associate
John R. Sloan
StarringCarroll Levis
Carole Landis
Herbert Lom
CinematographyBasil Emmott
Edited byDavid Hawkins
Music byDr. Bernard Grun
Distributed byUnited Artists
Release date
1949 (UK)
Running time
100 min.
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Though made in 1948, Brass Monkey wasn't released in the US until 1951.[2][3]

Plot

Popular radio presenter Carroll Levis (playing himself), and Kay Sheldon (Carole Landis) find themselves entangled in a web of smuggling and murder. When a priceless "brass monkey" is stolen from a Japanese temple and smuggled into England, Levis encounters the eccentric Mr. Ryder-Harris (Ernest Thesiger), a Buddhist art connoisseur who's chasing the artefact, and will apparently stop at nothing to get it. The monkey is missing and suspicious murders are being committed in the hunt for its retrieval. With the help of the Discoveries radio talent, Levis attempts to avoid murderous henchman Herbert Lom, and foil Mr. Ryder-Harris's plans. Amongst all the mayhem, an array of musical and comedy performers audition for and appear on The Levis Hour, the hero's weekly radio programme.[1][2][4][5]

Cast

Production

Landis arrived in England to make the film in August 1947.[6] Landis reportedly said that she encouraged the English actors to speak more slowly so that U.S. audiences could understand them.[7]

Songs
  • "It's the Greatest Business in the world" by Gaby Rogers – staged by Buddy Bradley
  • "Home Sweet Home" by Sid Colin and Steve Race
  • "Somebody Blew My Bluebird's Egg" by Noel Langley and Pat Quin
  • "I Know Myself Too Well" by Ross Parker
  • "Tomorrow's Rainbow" by Colin Campbell

Critical reception
  • Time Out called the film a "ramshackle support feature", and concluded it was "a curio, but not really a collectible."[8]
  • In a contemporary review, The Geraldton Guardian called The Brass Monkey, a "well told story."[5]
  • Sky Movies wrote, "a rough (very rough) and tumble British comedy-thriller spun round the then popular shows featuring Carroll Levis. ... Not much as a film ... But of undoubted interest for its extraordinary cast."[9]

References
  1. "The Lucky Mascot Review". Movies.tvguide.com. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  2. "Brass Monkey 1948 | Britmovie | Home of British Films". Britmovie. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  3. "Lucky Mascot | BFI | BFI". Explore.bfi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 12 July 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  4. "Brass Monkey (The Lucky Mascot) (1947-England) [VHS]: Terry-Thomas, Ernest Thesiger, Herbert Lom, Carole Landis, Carroll Levis: Movies & TV". Amazon. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  5. "29 Aug 1950 – Radio Theatre Talkies Current Attractions REVIEW". Geraldton Guardian. 29 August 1950. Retrieved 12 March 2014 – via Trove.
  6. THOMAS F. BRADY (20 August 1947). "STUDIO TO REFILM SCENES IN PICTURE: Eagle Lion, in Agreement With Fox Will Retake Sequences in Completed Melodrama". New York Times. p. 24.
  7. "Sanders In Britain For Filming Of Maugham Book". Truth. No. 3021. New South Wales, Australia. 14 December 1947. p. 55. Retrieved 30 April 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. "The Brass Monkey | review, synopsis, book tickets, showtimes, movie release date | Time Out London". Timeout.com. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  9. "The Brass Monkey – Sky Movies HD". Skymovies.sky.com. 7 May 2003. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
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