| Delayed Action | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | John Harlow |
| Written by | Geoffrey Orme |
| Produced by | Robert S. Baker Monty Berman |
| Starring | Robert Ayres June Thorburn Alan Wheatley Bruce Seton |
| Cinematography | Gerald Gibbs |
| Edited by | Bill Lewthwaite |
| Music by | John Lanchbery |
Production company | Kenilworth Film Productions |
| Distributed by | General Film Distributors |
Release date |
|
Running time | 58 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Delayed Action is a 1954 British second feature ('B')[1] film noir mystery film directed by John Harlow and starring Robert Ayres, June Thorburn and Alan Wheatley.[2] It was written by Geoffrey Orme, produced by Robert S. Baker and Monty Berman for Kenilworth Film Productions and released by General Film Distributors.[1]
Two criminals do a deal with a suicidal man, who will confess to crimes they have committed before killing himself. However he subsequently has a change of heart.[3]
It was shot at Twickenham Studios in London with sets designed by the art director Wilfred Arnold.
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "The confused and ragged script leaves many points of this improbable story unexplained. Both production and acting are unconvincing, and for a thriller the film is remarkably lacking in thrills."[4]
Kine Weekly wrote: "Cock-and-bull cameo crime melodrama. ... Wildly incredible and all loose ends, it fails to make sense, let alone carry conviction. Third-rate quota second."[5]
TV Guide wrote, "Robbers pay suicidal writer Ayres to confess to their crime and kill himself should their scheme fail. An interesting premise in an otherwise dull movie."[6]
Radio Times noted, "The prolific B-team of Monty Berman and Robert S Baker were the brains behind this moody little thriller. There's a hint here of the ingenuity that would lead to their TV success with such series as The Saint and Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)."[7]
