THREE STEPS TO THE GALLOWS/WHITE FIRE

UK, 1953, 90 minutes, Black-and-white.
Scott Brady, Mary Castle, Gabrielle Brune, Ferdy Mayne, Michael Balfour, Colin Tapley, John Blythe, Lloyd Lamble.
Directed by John Gilling.

During the 1950s, quite a number of American actors, many of them on the B-list, went to England to make small films. This is the case with this film and Scott Brady and Mary Castle.

The action takes place over three days, Scott Brady portraying a sailor who discovers that his younger brother is about to be executed for murder. He is determined to follow clues to find out the truth – which, of course, he eventually does.

The first lead is through Mary Castle present at a travel agency where his brother was said to have worked. This leads to a nightclub and the revelation of its being the centre for diamond smuggling. The police are also investigating and don’t reveal all the information to Brady. He befriends a boxer, a genial man who turns out to be part of the gang. There are several killings and the mystery of who was behind the whole project.

Mary Castle brings her father to London as he has been involved with a gang. He becomes something of a bait for the gang and there is a big climax at Olympia during an exhibition with the revelation that the lawyer for the accused young man and his wife, who acts as a secretary, are the brains behind the whole scheme.

The film was written and directed by John Gilling who made a number of small features like this while, in the 1950s, moving into horror genres.

1. British supporting feature of the early 1950s? The use of American leads? Supporting British character actors?

2. The London settings, streets, traffic, clubs, shops, an authentic feel of the time? The musical score?

3. The title? The three days of the action, Stevens’ brother and his execution date? The meaning of the alternate American title?

4. The introduction to Gregor Stevens, sailor, reliable, going on leave, searching for his brother, no record of him, going to the travel agency, going to the club? His learning the truth about the murder, his brother arrested, due to be executed, going to see Winslow, discussing the case, Lorna as his assistant, arranging the visit to his brother? His plea of innocence, explanation of what happened to him?

5. Meeting Yvonne at the travel agency, meeting her again at the club, her singing in the club, her dealings with Satargo, the truth about her father, the smuggling, her being forced to be involved? Interest in Stevens, deciding to help him?

6. The club, the cover for the smuggling, Satargo and his interactions with Stevens?

7. Yvonne and bringing her father to London, trying to protect him, his suspicions, the information?

8. The police, detective work, seeming hostility, later revealed that they were involved in investigating the case, not giving leads away?

9. Stevens, his character, involvement with thugs, the pursuing and bashing him? Relying on Yvonne? Suspicions of Lorna? Yet no suspicions of Winslow?

10. The boxing club, friendship with Dave Leary, the sparring, his humour, help, hiding Yvonne’s father on the boat, the discovery that he was part of the racket? The violence in
the car?

11. The setup, Stevens going to the office, the crippled man, the cleaner, the setup, Satargo being found dead in the office?

12. Stevens going to Winslow, Winslow and the police? Yvonne, going to the registry, finding Lorna’s identity, married to Winslow?

13. The climax at Olympia, hiding Yvonne’s father, the dangers, the thugs, snipers? Stevens arriving with Winslow? The truth? His being the brains behind the smuggling?

14. The shootout, the brother being free, Stevens’ return his boat – and Yvonne appearing and the fadeout kiss?