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The Hostage (1956 film)

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The Hostage
Danish theatrical poster
Directed byHarold Huth
Written byAlfred Shaughnessy
Produced byThomas Clyde
StarringRon Randell
Mary Parker
John Bailey
CinematographyBrendan J. Stafford
Edited byPeter Pitt
Music byBretton Byrd
Production
companies
Douglas Fairbanks Jr. & Company
Westridge
Distributed byEros Films
Release date
  • December 1956 (1956-12)
Running time
80 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

The Hostage is a 1956 British crime film directed by Harold Huth and starring Ron Randell, Mary Parker and John Bailey.[1] It was written by Alfred Shaughnessy,

Plot

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A group of South American revolutionaries plan to kidnap the daughter of their President in London.

Production

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The film was made at New Elstree Studios. The film's sets were designed by the art director Harry White.

Cast

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Critical reception

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Kine Weekly said "The picture spends most of its time in London, but the authentic exteriors, loosely pieced together, fail to lend credibility to the penny blood tale. Ron Randell has his moments as Bill and Carl Jaffe makes a dignified president, but Mary Parker lacks experience as Rosa. The supporting cast is indifferent, while the handling of the fights, the fire sequence and the lurid climax leave much to be desired. And what was MI5 doing during all this?"[2]

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "mediocre", writing: "Laughably plotted thriller."[3]

Leslie Halliwell said: "Tolerable support."[4]

References

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  1. ^ "The Hostage". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  2. ^ "The Hostage". Kine Weekly. 476 (2575): 15. 20 December 1956 – via ProQuest.
  3. ^ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 324. ISBN 0-7134-1874-5.
  4. ^ Halliwell, Leslie (1989). Halliwell's Film Guide (7th ed.). London: Paladin. p. 480. ISBN 0586088946.
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