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The Professionals (1960 film)
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Wikipedia article
'The Professionals' is a 1960 British crime thriller, directed by Don Sharp.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090115021807/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/64485 BFI.org]
It screened on US television the following year as part of the 'Kraft Mystery Theatre' series.Opens 'Kraft Mystery Theatre' Series
By JACK GOULD. New York Times 15 June 1961: 87. It was one of a series of films Anglo-Amalgamated sold to US television for one million dollars.
Premise
A gang of criminals, Joe Lawson, Vince Clayton and Eddie Holden, rob a suburban bank. Lawson then wants to rob a city bank and enlists the services of safe cracker Philip Bowman, who is just out of prison and is about to marry his girlfriend, Ruth. The thieves manage to rob the bank but Inspector Rankin interrogates Holden about the earlier robbery. Holden confesses and the police arrest the gang just as Bowman marries Ruth.
Cast
* William Lucas as Philip Bowman
* Andrew Faulds as Inspector Rankin
* Colette Wilde as Ruth
* Stratford Johns as Lawson
* Vilma Ann Leslie as Mabel
* Edward Cast as Clayton
* Charles Vance as Eddie Holden
* Jack May as Edwards
* Eric Corrie as Detective
* Arthur Skinner as Plainclothes Man
* Douglas Muir as Beaumont
* David Williams as Constable
* Arthur Hewlett as Hoskins
* Patrick Boxill as Renagan
* Stuart Hillier as Condor
* Raymond Ray as Night Watchman
* Noel Coleman as Chief Inspector
Production
The film was based on an original script by Peter Barnes. In September 1959 it was announced that the director would be Sidney Hayers. The job of directing eventually went to Don Sharp, who had been going to make another film written by Barnes, 'Echo of Barbara', that does not seem to have been made. (subscription required to access article)
It was the first fictional film Sharp made for Independent Artists, although he had made the documentary 'Keeping the Peace' for the same producers. Independent Artists were based at Beaconsfield but the studio was so busy at the time that 'The Professionals' had to be filmed at Pinewood. (subscription required to access article)
Reception
The 'Kinematograph Weekly' called it an "engrossing and thrilling tale."
The 'New York Times' TV critic called the show "an item of first rate suspense".
The film was so well received that Independent Artists then offered Sharp the job of directing 'Linda'. The film also led to Sharp later being offered 'The Kiss of the Vampire'.
References
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