The Adventures of P.C. 49: Investigating the Case of the Guardian Angel (1949)

Director:

Godfrey Grayson

Writers:

Vernon Harris (radio series)
Vernon Harris (screenplay)

Release Date:

23 July 1949 (UK)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

Plot Keywords:

Based On Radio Series | Number In Title | Character Name In Title

Cast

Hugh Latimer	...	P.C. Archibald Berkeley-Willoughby
John Penrose	...	Barney
Annette D. Simmonds	...	Carrots (as Annette Simmonds)
Pat Nye	...	Ma Benson
Patricia Cutts	...	Joan Carr
Arthur Brander	...	Inspector Wilson
Eric Phillips	...	Sergeant Wright
Martin Benson	...	Skinny Ellis
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Billy Thatcher	...	Ted Burton

Also Known As:

The Case of the Guardian Angel (UK)

Runtime:

67 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Filming Locations:

Dial Close Court, Winter Hill, Cookham, Berkshire, England, UK

Company:

Hammer Film Productions

Trivia:

Based on a popular BBC radio series. Eric Phillips is the only actor to re-create his radio role, however Brian Reece and Joy Shelton took over their roles for the sequel.

Movie Connections:

Followed by A Case for PC 49 (1951)

Nostalgic escapism

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

The previous post has given the complete background details to 49 … 1949 in Britain that is! This was an embryonic Hammer shoe-string production, a companion piece to their equally enjoyable Dick Barton trilogy, and again based on a popular BBC radio series. The standard of film-making was pretty feeble but honest and imho of probable greater social relevance in the final analysis than most other British films made that year, and there were plenty of British high class classics in '49 too.

Gangly Metropolitan constable Archibald Berkeley-Willoughby (PC 49) wants to be assigned to special duties to help track down a violent gang of truck hi-jackers stealing fags and booze galore. To this end he frequents all the greasy spoon cafés he can find that lorry drivers stop for a cup of char, especially dear old Ma Brady's. He cannily infiltrates the gang, which amazingly turns out to be the original Brady Bunch, displaying such a level of foresight along the way it's amazing the goodies weren't all shot to pieces well before the end. But as this was aimed at a younger audience it should be apparent right from the off whether good will triumph over bad. Hugh Latimer seemed an odd choice for the job: he looked more convincing playing the baddie in here, and was an uncomfortable woodentop for a lot of his PC scenes, while his girlfriend was well played by Patricia Cutts but with an indelibly painted on smile. The original radio pair Brian Reece as 49 and Joy Shelton as his fiancé thankfully moved in for the sequel.

But still indispensable for a window on the mores of a vanished race, and also a nice hour's entertainment for the discerning. Sadly most serious people today would utterly despise this even after watching it assiduously for the hour too! I wish it had been two hours long.