RADIO CAB MURDER

UK, 1954, 70 minutes, Black and white.
Jimmy Hanley, Lana Morris, Sonia Holm, Jack Allen, Sam Kydd. Frank Thornton.
Directed by Vernon Sewell.

In contemporary times, the screenplay would have provided an entertaining episode for an episode of a television series. However, it is an illustration of the supporting features from Britain in the middle of the 1950s.

Jimmy Hanley had been prominent in British films in the 1940s into the 1950s. He plays a former soldier of World War II who became disillusioned and was an expert safe cracker. He is seen driving a taxi and then realises that his passengers are criminals and he tries to turn them in. He has been going straight and working for the taxi company, and falling in love with the young woman in charge of coordinating pickups, Lana Morris, also popular in British films.

When the proprietor of the company receives an anonymous letter accusing the young man of being a thief, he defends himself and decides to collaborate with the police. He is ostensibly fired (with the other taxi driver supporting him and campaigning for his reinstatement), out of work, the police hoping that he will be approached by the group of safe crackers. He is. He plays his part very well, hesitant, seemingly angry, agreeing to meetings, taking hard stances. He is an expert in equipment as well and the group rely on him for their plan to open a bank safe. This all happens. And in the meantime, he is in touch with the police, his boss and his girlfriend.

However, the gang is cautious and give him false information about the bank that is to be robbed. He passes this on and the police go to the wrong bank. This means that he is under suspicion, is threatened. There are also some comic complications with all the taxi drivers trying to help him when they find out the truth.

Eventually, all goes well but not without some difficulties, dangers and confrontations.

A modest little story but effective in its way.