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Highly Dangerous

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Wikipedia article




'Highly Dangerous' is a 1950 British spy film starring Margaret Lockwood. The screenplay was written by Eric Ambler.

It was released in the US by Lippert Pictures as 'Time Running Out'.

Plot



Frances Gray is as a British entomologist trying to stop a biological attack with the help of an American journalist.

Cast



Production



Margaret Lockwood had not made a film in 18 months following 'Madness of the Heart', and had been focusing on stage work.

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'. It was directed by Roy Ward Baker, who had served with Ambler during the war.

"One thing about Eric is that he presents you with a script that is beautifully finished in every detail", said Baker.McFarlane p 49

"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."McFarlane p 50

The film-makers wanted a Hollywood leading man to play opposite Lockwood. Wendell Corey was originally sought before the role was given to Dane Clark, who had recently left Warner Bros.

Filming started at Pinewood Studios in June 1950.

Reception



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."McFarlane p 49-50

'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."

References



*McFarlane, Brian, 'An Autobiography of British Cinema', 1997


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