FORBIDDEN CARGO

UK, 1954, 85 minutes, Black and white.
Nigel Patrick, Elizabeth Sellars, Terence Morgan, Jack Warner.
Directed by Harold French.

Forbidden Cargo is an entertaining routine thriller from the early '50s. It is the type of material that would be the basis of any episode in a television series. It focuses on Customs, drug smuggling in the early '50s. Nigel Patrick is a sturdy hero, as is Jack Warner as his boss. Terence Morgan is, as often, a suave villain. A bonus is a very enjoyable performance by Joyce Grenfell at her best as a birdwatcher. Direction is by Harold French, director of a number of British dramas of the period, including contributions to films from Somerset Maugham's stories, Trio, Quartet and Encore.

1.Enjoyable thriller? The work of Customs in the '50s? The parallels with later decades and their treatment of similar themes?

2.Black and white photography, British countryside and coast, the city, the Thames? Musical score?

3.The title, the role of Customs and investigations, the tradition of British smuggling, drugs?

4.Michael and the voice-over? Telling the story? His work as an officer? Relationship with White? His going to the coast, the meeting with Lady Flavia and the sighting of the vans? The investigation, following the trucks, finding the contraband? The discussion with the captain, getting of information, the man's death? The envelope, meeting Rita and Roger? His following to Cannes? The social life, Max and the fashion designer? Life on the Riviera, Roger and the danger of Michael drowning? His return, confronting Rita? The final chase? His methods, success?

5.Rita and Roger, their involvement in the smuggling ring? Rita and the world of fashion, Roger and his wealth, the Riviera, socialising? Roger and his attempt to kill Michael? The final deal, Rita taking Roger to the river, the diving, the getting of the drugs, on the bus and the leak? Putting the case in Victoria Station? The confrontation with Max, the pursuit, Roger's death? Rita and her horror at the drugs, giving the information to Michael?

6.Max, his singing, history of smugglers? With the fashion designer? His confrontation with Roger to get the drugs?

7.The captain of the ship, his being arrested, interrogated, the giving of information, his death?

8.Joyce Grenfell and her daffy comedy style to give a tone to the film, the bird watching, helping Martin in his investigations, the final photo?

9.Routine material - as developed in the films of the '50s - and moving towards the television series of later decades?