Black Memory

Black Memory
Trade ad poster
Directed byOswald Mitchell
Written byJohn Gilling
Produced byGilbert Church
Starring
CinematographyS.D. Onions
Edited byJohn F. House
Music byPeter Russell
Production
company
Distributed byAmbassador Film Productions
Release date
  • July 1947 (1947-07)
Running time
73 mins
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Black Memory is a 1947 British second feature ('B')[1] crime film directed by Oswald Mitchell and starring Michael Atkinson, Myra O'Connell and Michael Medwin.[2][3] It was written by John Gilling and featured the first screen appearance of Sid James, known for the Carry On films. Also making her film acting debut was the Welsh-born actress, playwright, screenwriter and film director Jane Arden.[4]

Premise

When his father is wrongly convicted and hanged for murder, son Danny poses as a juvenile delinquent, and ten years later manages to clear his father's name.

Cast

  • Michael Atkinson as Danny Cruff
  • Myra O'Connell as Joan Davidson
  • Michael Medwin as Johnnie Fletcher
  • Sid James as Eddie Clinton (credited as Sydney James)
  • Frank Hawkins as Alf Davidson
  • Jane Arden as Sally Davidson
  • Winifred Melville as Mrs. Davidson
  • Michael Conry as Carl Broach
  • Betty Miller as Mrs. Cruff
  • Arthur Brander as Rutford
  • Gerald Pring as Hawkins, the headmaster
  • Valerie Hulton as Miss Philpotts
  • Maurice Nicholas as Johnnie, as a boy
  • Malcolm Sommers as Danny, as a boy

Critical reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "The subject is grim and the settings and some of the characters are dark and murky. But this only adds to the reality – and realism and credibility are keynotes of this unpretentious but outstanding film. It is outstanding because of the sincerity of the acting – not only by the leads but by the whole cast – and because direction and photography also combine to make a gripping film. Michael Medwin as Johnny is so good that one comes to have a hearty distaste for the 'spiv' he creates. He is ably supported by Michael Atkinson as Danny and a well-chosen cast."[5]

Picturegoer wrote: "Both direction and acting are competent, and the working-class background rings true. Michael Medwin is generally convincing as the now almost inevitable 'spiv,' and Jane Arden is sound as a flighty girl he nearly ruins."[6]

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "good", writing: "Gripping street-level thriller."[7]

TV Guide wrote: "Weak story, poor dialog; everyone's just kiddin' around."[8][permanent dead link]

References

  1. ^ Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 156. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
  2. ^ "Black Memory". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  3. ^ "Black Memory (1947)". BFI. Archived from the original on 17 August 2016.
  4. ^ "Arden, Jane (1927-82)". BFI ScreenOnline. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  5. ^ "Black Memory". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 14 (157): 76. 1 January 1947. ProQuest 1305811261.
  6. ^ "Black Memory". Picturegoer. 16: 12. 16 August 1947. ProQuest 1771185301.
  7. ^ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 193. ISBN 0-7134-1874-5.
  8. ^ "Black Memory". TV Guide.

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