Little Red Monkey, released in the United States as Case of the Red Monkey, is a 1955 British crime film directed by Ken Hughes and starring Richard Conte, Rona Anderson and Russell Napier.[1] 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 based on a BBC Television series of the same name, written by Eric Maschwitz and produced by Bill Lyon-Shaw, which ran for six 30-minute episodes in 1953.[2]
Little Red Monkey | |
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![]() 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 | Merton Park Studios |
Distributed by | Anglo-Amalgamated Film Distributors |
Release date |
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Running time | 71 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
The film was made by Anglo-Amalgamated at Merton Park Studios. The film was an international hit, and along with Confession 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]
The film was based on a 1953 British television series starring Donald Houston and Honor Blackman.The show's theme tune was a hit.[5][6]
Film rights were acquired by Todon Productions who had produced Duel in the Jungle not long before. Tony Owens, who ran Todon, signed Richard Conte to play the lead; Conte had recently performed in the film Mask of Dust (also known as Race for Life) in England. Principal photography began on 24 May 1954 at Elstree Studios. The film was a co production with Anglo Guild.[7][8]
The Monthly Film Bulletin said it had "meagre excitements".[9]
Films directed by Ken Hughes | |
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Features |
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Shorts |
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