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The Squeeze (1977 film)
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Wikipedia article
'The Squeeze' is a 1977 British gangster thriller, directed by Michael Apted, based on a novel by Bill James (under the pseudonym David Craig). The screenplay was written by 'Minder' creator Leon Griffiths.
The production headlines a major cast made up of American actor Stacy Keach, and British actors Edward Fox and David Hemmings. Irish actor Stephen Boyd was also featured in a major (and final) role as a gangster.
Apted called it an "informed look at the British underworld" and said Warner Bros considered the film "too indigenous."
Cast
* Stacy Keach as Jim Naboth
* David Hemmings as Keith
* Edward Fox as Foreman
* Stephen Boyd as Vic
* Carol White as Jill
* Freddie Starr as Teddy
* Hilary Gasson as Barbara
* Rod Beacham as Dr. Jenkins
* Stewart Harwood as Des
* Alan Ford as Taff
* Roy Marsden as Barry
* Leon Greene as Commissionaire
* Lucinda Duckett as Sharon
* Alison Portes as Christine
* Marjie Lawrence as Beryl
* Steve Jones (extra)
Production
The film was shot in London in October 1976. Keach had lived and worked in London for many years. He says Apted was "a wonderful and intelligent director" who cast the actor on the basis of his appearance in 'Conduct Unbecoming'.
The producers of 'The Squeeze' enlisted an ex-gangster called Bob Ramsey to act as a contact between the film unit and the local underworld to cut down on harassment, due to location shooting in rather undesirable areas where criminals were operating. Local people in the area were hired as extras. 'Sex Pistols' guitarist Steve Jones accidentally became an extra in the film.
Reception
Leon Hunt found 'The Squeeze' to be "a better sequel to 'Sweeney!' than 'Sweeney 2' ...[with] its "superbly drawn and vividly played villains".
Sight and Sound said that Apted "makes a fair fist of transferring the dirty cop thriller to Notting Hill" with "real world flair", but it found "Stacey Keach's problems as a drunken ex-copper ... unengaging."
Keach said the film "didn't translate in America but it was well regarded and successful in England."
Footnotes
References
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