Highly Dangerous is a 1950 British spy film starring Margaret Lockwood. The screenplay was written by Eric Ambler.
Highly Dangerous | |
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Directed by | Roy Ward Baker (as Roy Baker) |
Written by | Eric Ambler |
Produced by | Antony Darnborough executive Earl St. John |
Starring |
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Cinematography | Reginald H. Wyer |
Edited by | Alfred Roome |
Music by | Richard Addinsell |
Production company | Two Cities Films |
Distributed by |
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Release dates |
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Running time | 88-90 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
It was released in the US by Lippert Pictures as Time Running Out.
Frances Gray is as a British entomologist trying to stop a biological attack with the help of an American journalist.[1]
Margaret Lockwood had not made a film in 18 months following Madness of the Heart, and had been focusing on stage work.[2] Earl St John wanted a comeback vehicle and commissioned Eric Ambler to write a film specifically as a vehicle for Lockwood. Ambler had recently specialised in melodramas, but Highly Dangerous was a comedy thriller in the vein of Lockwood's earlier hits, The Lady Vanishes and Night Train to Munich.[3] It was directed by Roy Ward Baker, who had served with Ambler during the war.[4]
"One thing about Eric is that he presents you with a script that is beautifully finished in every detail", said Baker.[5]
"I think Margaret Lockwood wanted to play a modern woman", recalled Baker. "It was actually Eric Ambler's first or second book, although the book had a different title and its main character was a man; Eric changed it to a woman to make it more interesting."[6]
The film-makers wanted a Hollywood leading man to play opposite Lockwood. Wendell Corey was originally sought[7] before the role was given to Dane Clark, who had recently left Warner Bros.
Filming started at Pinewood Studios in June 1950.[8]
Baker later said that "Highly Dangerous wasn't a very successful picture.... It was a good idea although I don't think I did it very well."[9]
Filmink said "it should have been Lady Vanishes-like but the film never gets its tone right. It starts off straight then goes a bit wacky and is just not fun – it lacks comic relief, and Lockwood seems old and tired."[10]
Films directed by Roy Ward Baker | |
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