He becomes involved in a protection racket which was A year before he achieved international stardom as THE James Bond, Sean Connery appeared in this British film noir classic made in 1961. The organisation are responsible for the latter and the future 007 is shaken but not stirred. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. In summation, a paint by numbers job, competent British B film, uninspired film making, but good nostalgic fun. Watch all you want. Variety is a part of Penske Media Corporation. [5], The London premiere of The Frightened City took place at the Odeon Marble Arch on 9 August 1961. One of the gangsters fights shy of this bigger game, backs out of the organization and re-forms his own gang. Though he's third billed in The Frightened City, it's his performance you'll remember. Waldo has a young woman in whom he takes an almost Ward-like platonic interest: a Russian singer called Anya (Yvonne Romain) who warbles away at the grand piano that Waldo preposterously has in a room adjoining his office. One of a clutch of vintage British thrillers released by Anchor Bay Entertainment (back when it was still going by that name and enjoying its deserved status as one of the major specialist DVD labels) that also included two superior Stanley Baker efforts Val Guest's HELL IS A CITY (1959) and Joseph Losey's THE CRIMINAL (1960). After a brief chat with Sadie (above) that is exactly what Damion does, and he heads off for a showdown wtih Foulcher and Zhornikov. A small time thief is recruited by a mobster to help with the racketeering. Picture quality is very good, with decent mono sound. [2] It stars Herbert Lom, John Gregson and a pre- Bond Sean Connery, who plays a burglar called Paddy Damion. 60s bloke may not be going anywhere but we are round black and white London, aka the frightened city. It follows lead actor Herbert Lom as crooked accountant Waldo who devises a master plan to merge the smaller London crime firms into a large syndicate. Sean Connery may be billed third but once he enters the story, he is the one who takes centre stage. couple of years earlier, a story of a blackmail racket run by Terence Morgan. Crime, Drama. The Frightened City, made by John Lamont and Leign Vance (directed by the former, written by the latter, produced by both) is one of the 'new' breed of crime films that emerged in the late 1950s and early 60s, with a more realistic and grittier approach to policing and crime than had previously been the case in the 1950s. 'top man' behind it all. who soon gets under Connery's skin (or should I say bed sheets) but does not think twice of betraying his whereabouts to the police when they threaten her with deportation! Herbert Lom is absolutely great in the mob leader role. It's a really good movie full of suspense, Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2014. Marks gives a rich, oily, sinister and yet often amusing portrayal of an ambitious thug who is prepared to turn killer to get his own way. Although Sean Connery is billed third in the cast, he's the central character. Not much in the way of location photography but I can overlook that as well. Watching Sean Connery in action, I can understand why he would be cast as James Bond. All the more so with distance and James Bond roles. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions. This early 60s British crime drama is fairly routine and, of course, is mainly of interest today because it gave a young actor named Sean Connery a good role before he became an international sensation as Bond, James Bond. "The Frightened City" is a good yarn with some reasonable dialogue and a good pace. Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations. Your AMC Ticket Confirmation# can be found in your order confirmation email. Drama, Original Language: Accent of the film is tough and hard-hitting and concerns intergang warfare plus the clash between the cops and the crooks, the cops, as a spokesman bitterly says, finding themselves hampered by outdated laws. A London accountant (Herbert Lom) forms six gangs into a syndicate which he tries to control with a killer (Sean Connery). By creating an account, you agree to the Accent of the film is tough and hard-hitting and concerns intergang warfare plus the clash between the cops and the crooks, the. It was released with the B-side "Back Home", written by Jim Goff, Hank Marvin, Bruce Welch and Jet Harris. Accepting a job from a local gangster, Harry Foulcher played by the wonderful character actor Alfred Marks who is already in league with another gangster, Waldo Zhernikov, played by Herbert Lom, Paddy gets deeper and deeper into organised crime with little hope of redemption. The Frightened City is one of several films where Sean Connery is getting more and more noticed, leading to the stardom he would obtain the following year as James Bond. The Frightened City tells the story of Waldo Zhernikov, a ruthless and urbane migr who spots the chance to introduce the notion of organised crime gangs into Britain's capital. But wait! The Frightened City (1961) Full Cast & Crew See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro Directed by John Lemont . The Frightened City Back Home Versions Filter by Labels & Companies 21 versions Add to Wantlist Recommendations F. B. I. Though the plot is not exceptional, the scenes, acting, and characters are. He is lured into a protection racket by oily mobster Harry Foulcher (Alfred Marks), in order to support his partner in crime Wally Smith (Kenneth Griffith), who . A year before he achieved international stardom as THE James Bond, Sean Connery appeared in this British film noir classic made in 1961. Waldo suggests that Harry recruit the five most prolific . See production, box office & company info, Carnaby Street, Soho, London, England, UK. Herbert Lom excels in his role as a schemer. As Paddy goes after Foulcher, the police seem helpless in attempting to break up the protection racket owing to lack of evidence. : A Tribute to Hank Marvin & the Shadows, "Instrumentation On Shadows Recordings II: The Primary Singles", "Norrie Paramor And His Orchestra Shadows In Latin (1965, Vinyl)", "Twang! 'We're trying to fight 20th-century crime with 19th-century legislation. got there it was the one film I had to watch until all the baggage arrived. ', The Frightened City is a conventional but brisk gangster yarn. I watch a lot of old really bad British Movies but this actually a good one. Lom is always excellent. The Frightened City is a 1961 British neo-noir gangster film about extortion rackets and gang warfare in the West End of London. "The Frightened City" composed by Norrie Paramor, recorded by The Shadows. 1h 37m. The story is nothing special in itself but it is done with some style. The Mother While on the run from dangerous enemies, an assassin (Jennifer Lopez) comes out of hiding to protect the daughter she gave up years before. club. Verified reviews are considered more trustworthy by fellow moviegoers. It doesn't look all that frightened no shots of people cowering in terror. Were trying to fight 20th-century crime with 19th-century legislation.. A pre-Bond Sean Connery is among the gifted cast in this 1961 mob drama that takes in the highlights of London lowlife. Efficiently directed by John Lemont, whose background was primarily in television, The Frightened City is a noteworthy crime thriller due to featuring an early and prominent role for Sean Connery. "What we want is a law to catch villains and not hamper the police", opines Sayers (a policeman, not the bakers, played by John Gregson, who is far more hardboiled here than in Tomorrow at Ten). Police were seen escorting frightened tourists back to their cars or hotels to escape the chaos, and traffic on Chicago's Michigan Avenue ground to a halt as police attempted to restore order . English (United Kingdom), Director: He doesn't like the job, but with the mob on his back, a femme fatale in his bed and a sick friend to care for, he will have to keep all his wits about him. Tudum.com. Lots of good performances by others. It comes from loving your job, Marvellous chance to view nascent James Bond. In the opening title sequence, when actors and crew are listed, many of the names are displayed one by one on successive beats of The Shadows' famous title music. The Frightened City, from the album Sheet Music, was released in the year 2018. A better than average script from Leigh Vance and director John Lemont and a highly charismatic performance from a pre-Bond Sean Connery give this British gangster picture something of a lift. It peaked at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart. Marks gives a rich, oily, sinister and yet often amusing portrayal of an ambitious thug who is prepared to turn killer to get his own way. John Lemont, Producer: Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2014. When Ian Fleming saw Connery for the first time during his tryout for the "Dr No" role, he was sold on him. [3] He is lured into a protection racket by oily mobster Harry Foulcher , in order to support his partner in crime Wally Smith , who is injured in a robbery. This is consistent with the theme that runs throughout the film of over-worked police pining for a mythical age of the gentleman crook. Sean Connery is great to look at in his leaner, pre-Bond form, and Herbert Lom is excellent. Just pre-Bondage, I find it beyond incredible that in all the years the IMDb has been around, only ONE person thus far, has commented on this film! In hot pursuit - a car (or motorcar, as they were known back then) which promptly drives into him, deliberately apparently, and at terrifying speed! He is lured into a protection racket by oily mobster Harry Foulcher (Alfred Marks), in order to support his partner in crime Starring: Herbert Lom, John Gregson, Sean Connery. A small time thief is recruited by a mobster to help with the racketeering. The dancing is so determined to be rude that it just looks grotesque and coarse. [3] "The Frightened City" was the group's second recording of a film tune, having released a version of "Man of Mystery" in November 1960. Accent of the film is tough and hard-hitting and concerns intergang warfare plus the clash between the cops and the crooks, the. The duration of the song is 2:18. Comparative newcomer, rugged Sean Connery makes a distinct impression as an Irish crook, with an eye for the ladies. Printed By - Dillard et Cie. Imp. The Frightened City [Blu-ray] [2021] Format: Blu-ray 20 ratings $2013 Blu-ray $20.13 DVD $13.81 Blu-ray April 12, 2021 $20.13 $20.12 $20.17 Playback Region B/2 : This will not play on most Blu-ray players sold in North America, Central America, South America, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. Been looking for this movie for a long time. music starts there is a horrible moment when you think Frankie Laine might start singing, but it turns out to be an instrumental, in fact one which The Shadows had a hit with in 1961, reaching number Directed by John Lemont ( The Shakedown) with its gritty depiction of the criminal underworld and the idea that police officers did not always operate on the right side of the law, marked a distinct shift in the way policing and crime was portrayed on screen. The Frightened City is an English language song and is sung by The Shadows. play by the rules' and causes his senior officers some headaches, although his actions appear to be justified in the long run (searching without a warrant, but finding the stolen goods). Amongst them, John Gregson, John Stone, and Yvonne Romain who plays a gangster mol. 3 in the charts: The film opens as the protection rackets seem to be getting out of hand, with one nightclub smashed up by Freddie Farmer (Patrick Jordan) and two hoods (with Marianne Stone as a barmaid looking on I don't see the appeal of Herbert Lom. The final fight, however, has some choreography to it and a few interesting touches. These gangsters need a cool tough guy to collect the larger sums coming in, so they recruit a cat burglar called Paddy Damion, an ordinary decent criminal who needs the money played by pre-007 Sean Connery. 1961year. A crime boss unites his rivals to form a single large syndicate, but a gang war erupts when a burglar breaks from the pack to exact revenge. love', isn't too bad. Connery plays a rather ambivalent character, a goon, a mob henchman specialized in racket, but not entirely nasty, that's where the strength is. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 23, 2012, Connery shows why he got the James Bond role, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 17, 2017, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 28, 2020. Sayers but also his Sgt, Ogle, as Sayers asks him "How far are you prepared to go to tidy this whole thing up? with updates on movies, TV shows, Rotten Tomatoes podcast and more. A pretty cool attempt at Brit Noir. Marks is actually the puppet of criminal mastermind . Also, the song "What a Marvelous Lie You Told Me" is one of the more unusual tunes every recorded in a movie. Directed by John Lemont, and photographed by Desmond Dickinson who's influence by the American Style of Film Noir is apparent here. Drama. RT25: Celebrating 25 years of Rotten Tomatoes. Foulcher, the top man, the whole mob at the back?" Connery plays Paddy Damion a thief who is recruited by a mobster (Alfred Marks) to oversee his money collection. 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