HOUSE OF THE SEVEN HAWKS

US, 1959, 92 minutes, Black and white.
Robert Taylor, Nicole Maurey, Linda Christian, Donald Wolfit, David Kossoff, Eric Pohlman.
Directed by Richard Thorpe.

It is said that Robert Taylor had the longest contract with MGM, beginning in the 1930s, on through the 40s and 50s, and well into the 60s, but with minor roles. This film was one of his last. While he still had some film roles, he settled for television.

This film is based on the novel by thriller-writer Victor Canning (film version, Venetian Bird, with Richard Todd). It is set on the North Sea, opening in England, but most of the film shot in the Netherlands. It was directed by Richard Thorpe, who also began directing Robert Taylor in the 1930s, directed him in a number of costume action dramas in the 1950s – and Thorpe continued directing, comedies and musicals until 1967.

The supporting cast is international. The plot involves a captain moving around the English coast, the police having an eye on him as regards going to the continent, his becoming involved in a plot in a search for sunken treasure. The title refers to a clue as to the location of the sunken vessel.

1. An action adventure? The style of the 1950s and 60s? Black-and-white photography, British and Dutch locations?

2. Robert Taylor vehicle, the solid American hero, in England, with his boat, contracts and advertising, passengers, forbidden to go to the continent? Severe British authorities? The situation with the dead man, the instructions that he found, concealing them, the plan to investigate?

3. The Dutch police, taking him in, the interrogations, suspicions? His joining forces with them?

4. The mysterious woman on the boat, taking the instructions – and later encounters, doublecross, her death?

5. The second woman, the daughter of the dead man, his being undercover police, information from England, bringing it back, the issue of the treasure and its value? The relationship with John?

6. The captain, sinister, his connections, the background of the war, his friend insinuating himself?

7. John’s friend, the contacts, the doublecross?

8. Going to the site of the sunken boat, the clues finding it, John and the policeman’s daughter?

9. Finding the treasure, the confrontation, the police, the resolution of the plot and the crime?