| Little Red Monkey | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Ken Hughes |
| Written by | James Eastwood Ken Hughes |
| Based on | story by Eric Maschwitz |
| Produced by | Alec C. Snowden |
| Starring | Richard Conte Rona Anderson Russell Napier Sylva Langova |
| Cinematography | Josef Ambor |
| Edited by | Inman Hunter Geoffrey Muller |
| Music by | Trevor Duncan |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Anglo-Amalgamated Film Distributors |
Release date |
|
Running time | 71 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Little Red Monkey (U.S. title: The Case of the Red Monkey) is a 1955 British thriller film directed by Ken Hughes and starring Richard Conte, Rona Anderson and Russell Napier.[1] The screenplay was by Hughes and James Eastwood, based on the 1953 BBC Television series of the same name written by Eric Maschwitz.[2]
Detectives from Scotland Yard investigate a series of murders of leading nuclear scientists, and are intrigued by strange reports received about the crimes.
The film was an international hit, and along with Confession (1955) proved a breakthrough for Anglo-Amalgamated. After its success the company began making more expensive productions, often hiring American stars for international appeal.[3][4]
Cast
- Richard Conte as Bill Locklin
- Rona Anderson as Julia Jackson
- Russell Napier as Superintendent John Harrington
- Sylva Langova as Hilde Heller, chief spy
- Colin Gordon as Harry Martin, reporter
- Donald Bisset as Editor Harris
- John King-Kelly as spy henchman
- Bernard Rebel as Vinson, spy henchman
- Arnold Marlé as Professor Leon Dushenko
- John Horsley as Detective Sergeant Gibson
- Jane Welsh as Superintendent McCollum
- Theodore Wilhelm as Secretary of the International Social Club
- Colin Tapley as Sir Clive Raglan
- Noel Johnson as Detective Sergeant Hawkins
- Jessica Kearns as airport hostess
- Geoffrey Denys as Doctor Mayhew
- Gianfranco Parolini as Inspector May
- Guy Deghy as Social Club Recreation Director
- Peter Godsell as Tommy McCollum
- Ed Devereaux as American sailor
- George Margo as American sailor
- André Mikhelson as East German Chief of Border Guards
- Tony Sympson as cab driver
Production
The film was made by Anglo-Amalgamated at Merton Park Studios, a co-production with Anglo Guild.[5][6][7] The movie also had the involvement of Todon Productions, the company of Donna Reed and her husband Tony Owen.[8]
Critical reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin said: "Some efficient photography and editing eke out the meagre excitements".[9]
Variety wrote: “Like many British-produced pictures, it lacks American-type pace and is a routine entry in the program market. Conte portrays a U.S. State Dept. officer ... but displays little of the dash and ingenuity such a part calls for."[10]
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as “average” and wrote: “Conte and direction a cut above the rest in this moderately exciting thriller".[11]
The Radio Times Guide to Films gave the film 3/5 stars, writing: "Ken Hughes honed his skills as a director of thrillers working on the Scotland Yard B-movie series. Consequently, this quota quickie has a great deal more substance and style than many of its contemporaries. ... Hughes keeps the action on the boil, while Russell Napier and Rona Anderson are fine as a Scotland Yard detective and his niece."[12]
References
- ^ "Little Red Monkey". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ "Donald Houston and Honor Blackman in 'Little Red Monkey'". BBC Genome Project. Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
- ^ Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 99. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
- ^ Vagg, Stephen (14 November 2020). "Ken Hughes Forgotten Auteur". Filmink.
- ^ Drama: Maggie McNamara Due Soon for 'Black Widow'; Conte Set for Thriller. Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 30 Apr 1954: A11
- ^ Todon Doing 6th Picture Los Angeles Times 5 Feb 1956: D3.
- ^ Vagg, Stephen (12 January 2025). "Forgotten British Moguls: Nat Cohen – Part One (1905-56)". Filmink. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
- ^ Vagg, Stephen (1 December 2025). "Forgotten British Film Moguls: Donna Reed". Filmink. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ "Impact". Monthly Film Bulletin. 22 (253): 40. 1 January 1955.
- ^ "Little Red Monkey". Variety. 199: 6. August 1955.
- ^ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 339. ISBN 0-7134-1874-5.
- ^ Radio Times Guide to Films (18th ed.). London: Immediate Media Company. 2017. p. 365. ISBN 9780992936440.
External links
- Little Red Monkey at IMDb
- Little Red Monkey at Letterbox DVD
