The Flanagan Boy (released in the United States as Bad Blonde) is a 1953 British second feature ('B')[1] film noir directed by Reginald Le Borg. It was made by Hammer Film Productions and stars Barbara Payton, Tony Wright, Frederick Valk and Sid James.[2] The sceenplay was by Guy Elmes and Richard H. Landau based on the 1949 novel of the same name by Max Catto.[3][4]
| The Flanagan Boy | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Reginald Le Borg |
| Screenplay by | Guy Elmes Richard H. Landau |
| Based on | The Flanagan Boy by Max Catto |
| Produced by | Anthony Hinds |
| Starring | Barbara Payton Frederick Valk Tony Wright |
| Cinematography | Walter J. Harvey |
| Edited by | James Needs |
| Music by | Ivor Slaney |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Exclusive Films Lippert Pictures (US) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 79 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Plot
editShady promoter Sharkey spots young boxer Johnny Flanagan in a fairground booth fight and takes him under his wing, in an attempt to launch a comeback into prizefighting. He secures the backing of wealthy Italian Giuseppe Vecchi, but problems arise when Flanagan becomes romantically involved with Vecchi's wife Lorna. Falsely claiming to be pregnant with his child, Lorna persuades Flanagan to drown Vecchi. Flanagan's career fails and he is poisoned by Lorna, who makes it appear a suicide. Sharkey takes revenge on Lorna.[5]
Cast
edit- Barbara Payton as Lorna Vecchi
- Frederick Valk as Giuseppe Vecchi
- John Slater as Charlie Sullivan
- Sid James as Sharkey
- Tony Wright as Johnny Flanagan
- Marie Burke as Mother Vecchi
- Selma Vaz Dias as Mrs. Corelli, Vecchi's sister
- Enzo Coticchia as Mr. Corelli
Reception
editIn a contemporary reviews, Kine Weekly said "Exuberant murder melodrama, containing prominent sex overtones and a fight racket fringe. ... Elegant and apposite settings appropriately complete the rugged mixture of fisticuffs, romance and crime. A meaty dish, it's bound to go down with the crowd."[6]
Monthly Film Bulletin wrote "A lurid little melodrama, with toughly realistic portraits of boxing world characters, a solid performance by Frederick Valk as Vecchi, and Barbara Payton as a flashy sex-menace. Made in England by an American director, the film copies American 'B' models quite competently and unpleasantly."[7]
Variety wrote: "Lower-grade dualler toplining Barbara Payton. ... Footage is a hodge-podge of trite melodrama, unbelievable dialog and poor thesping."[8]
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "average", writing: "Lurid stuff, quite strongly made."[9]
Leslie Halliwell called the film: "Competent British imitation of an American B movie."[10]
Retrospective appraisal
editThe Bad Blonde/Flanagan Boy’s low-budget pedigree is evident, and attributable to Hammer studio’s “draconian cost-consciousness,” according film historian Wheeler W. Dixon.[11] Terming the film “a routine tale of murder and romantic betrayal” he adds:
The film might have been an interesting but obvious thriller, but was overlong, even at eighty minutes, and seems static and stagebound throughout its running time.[12]
Dixon merits Sid James, famous for his Carry On material, as “easily the best thing about the film.”[13]
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 81. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
- ^ "The Flanagan Boy". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ Mayer, Geoff (2012). Historical Dictionary of Crime Films. Scarecrow Press. p. 195. ISBN 978-0-810-87900-3.
- ^ Dixon, 1992 p. 150-151: Directorial Credits. Note: Dixon list “and/or This Woman is Trouble” as alternate name, presumably for US release.
- ^ Dixon, 1992 p. 32-33: Plot sketch
- ^ ""The Flanagan Boy"". Kine Weekly. 435 (2400): 21. 25 June 1953. ProQuest 2732607326 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "The Flanagan Boy". Monthly Film Bulletin. 20 (228): 122. 1 January 1953. ProQuest 1305819136 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "The Flanagan Boy". Variety. 190: 6. 6 May 1953. ProQuest 1032366315 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 310. ISBN 0-7134-1874-5.
- ^ Halliwell, Leslie (1989). Halliwell's Film Guide (7th ed.). London: Paladin. p. 356. ISBN 0586088946.
- ^ Dixon, 1992 p. 32
- ^ Dixon, 1992 p. 32-33
- ^ Dixon, 1992 p. 32
References
edit- Dixon, Wheeler Winston. 1992. The Films of Reginald LeBorg: Interviews, Essays, and Filmography. Filmmakers No. 31 The Scarecrow Press, Metuchen, New Jersey. ISBN 0-8108-2550-3