Black Memory
{{Short description|1947 British film by Oswald Mitchell}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2016}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Black Memory
| image = Black_Memory_(1947_film).jpg
| caption = Trade ad poster
| director = Oswald Mitchell
| producer = Gilbert Church
| writer = John Gilling
| starring = {{ubl|Michael Atkinson|Myra O'Connell|Michael Medwin|Sid James}}
| music = Peter Russell
| cinematography = S.D. Onions
| editing = John F. House
| studio = Bushey Studios
| distributor = Ambassador Film Productions
| released = {{Film date|1947|07}}
| runtime = 73 mins
| country = United Kingdom
| language = English
| budget =
}}
Black Memory is a 1947 British second feature ('B'){{Cite book |last1=Chibnall |first1=Steve |title=The British 'B' Film |last2=McFarlane |first2=Brian |publisher=BFI/Bloomsbury |year=2009 |isbn=978-1-8445-7319-6 |location=London |pages=156}} crime film directed by Oswald Mitchell and starring Michael Atkinson, Myra O'Connell and Michael Medwin.{{Cite web |title=Black Memory |url=https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceFilmWorks/150014531 |access-date=24 May 2025 |website=British Film Institute Collections Search}}{{cite web |title=Black Memory (1947) |url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6a5545c4 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817043646/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6a5545c4 |archive-date=17 August 2016 |website=BFI |publisher=}} It was written by John Gilling and featured the first screen appearance of Sid James, known for the Carry On films. Also making her film acting debut was the Welsh-born actor, playwright, screenwriter and film director Jane Arden.{{cite web |title=Arden, Jane (1927-82) |url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/1364950/index.html |access-date=24 May 2025 |website=BFI ScreenOnline}}
Premise
When his father is wrongly convicted and hanged for murder, son Danny poses as a juvenile delinquent, and ten years later manages to clear his father's name.
Cast
- Michael Atkinson as Danny Cruff
- Myra O'Connell as Joan Davidson
- Michael Medwin as Johnnie Fletcher
- Sid James as Eddie Clinton (credited as Sydney James)
- Frank Hawkins as Alf Davidson
- Jane Arden as Sally Davidson
- Winifred Melville as Mrs. Davidson
- Michael Conry as Carl Broach
- Betty Miller as Mrs. Cruff
- Arthur Brander as Rutford
- Gerald Pring as Hawkins, the headmaster
- Valerie Hulton as Miss Philpotts
- Maurice Nicholas as Johnnie, as a boy
- Malcolm Sommers as Danny, as a boy
Critical reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "The subject is grim and the settings and some of the characters are dark and murky. But this only adds to the reality – and realism and credibility are keynotes of this unpretentious but outstanding film. It is outstanding because of the sincerity of the acting – not only by the leads but by the whole cast – and because direction and photography also combine to make a gripping film. Michael Medwin as Johnny is so good that one comes to have a hearty distaste for the 'spiv' he creates. He is ably supported by Michael Atkinson as Danny and a well-chosen cast."{{Cite journal |date=1 January 1947 |title=Black Memory |volume=14 |issue=157 |pages=76 |id={{ProQuest|1305811261}} |magazine=The Monthly Film Bulletin}}
Picturegoer wrote: "Both direction and acting are competent, and the working-class background rings true. Michael Medwin is generally convincing as the now almost inevitable 'spiv,' and Jane Arden is sound as a flighty girl he nearly ruins."{{Cite journal |date=16 August 1947 |title=Black Memory |journal= |volume=16 |issue= |pages=12 |id={{ProQuest|1771185301}} |magazine=Picturegoer}}
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "good", writing: "Gripping street-level thriller."{{Cite book |last=Quinlan |first=David |title=British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 |publisher=B.T. Batsford Ltd. |year=1984 |isbn=0-7134-1874-5 |location=London |pages=193}}
TV Guide wrote: "Weak story, poor dialog; everyone's just kiddin' around."{{cite web |title=Black Memory |url=http://www.tvguide.com/movies/black-memory/review/108625/ |website=TV Guide |publisher=}}{{Dead link|date=May 2025 |fix-attempted=yes |url=}}
References
External links
- {{IMDb title|0171119}}
{{Oswald Mitchell}}
Category:British black-and-white films
Category:Films directed by Oswald Mitchell