Inspector Hornleigh

Director: Eugene Forde, Eugene J. Forde Eugene Forde

Overview

Inspector Hornleigh was the first of three lively British crime films inspired by the popular BBC radio serial "Monday Night at Eight." Hornleigh is played by Gordon Harker, while Alastair Sim assumes the comic-relief responsibilities inherent in the character of Sergeant Bingham. The "maguffin" in this film is a set of bags stolen from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which Hornleigh and Bingham set about to retrieve. The principal suspect is an unscrupulous millionaire who hopes to corner the British stock market. Based on characters created by Hans Wolgang Priwin, Inspector Hornleigh inspired two cinematic sequels, both filmed in 1939.

Product Details

Release Date:	07/15/2015
UPC:	0644827111329
Original Release:	1939
Source:	Reel Vault
Language:	English
Sales rank:	21,938

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Gordon Harker	Inspector Hornleigh
Alastair Sim	Sgt. Bingham
Miki Hood	Ann Gordon, Owner Pheasant Inn
Steve Geray	Michael Kavanos,Kavanos
Wally Patch	Sam Holt
Edward Underdown	Peter Dench
Hugh Williams	Bill Gordon
Gibb McLaughlin	Alfred Cooper
Ronald Adam	Wittens
Eliot Makeham	Leather Worker
Bretton Byrd	Composer

Technical Credits

Gerald Elliott

Bryan Wallace

Richard Llewellyn

Eugene Forde	Director,Director
Robert T. Kane	Producer,Producer
Gerald Elliott	Screenwriter
Bryan Wallace	Screenwriter
Richard Llewellyn	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

Good lines, eccentric characters, and ironic twists make this 1939 Eugene Forde film as much a delight today as it was to audiences when it debuted. Sim, who went on to fame as Scrooge in the 1951 film classic A Christmas Carol, is especially good as Hornleigh's sidekick Bingham. He takes to heart the old literary axiom that a comedy is just a tragedy gone wrong, and vice versa, and plays his role with a sternly straight face in viciously funny scenes. Miki Hood, Wally Patch, and Hugh Williams also turn in fine performances in supporting roles. At times, video viewers may need to turn up the sound and cock their ears toward the TV to pick up the sometimes thick British and Scottish accents.

All Movie Guide - Mike Cummings