| My Death Is a Mockery | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Tony Young |
| Written by | Douglas Baber (novel) |
| Produced by | David Dent |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Phil Grindrod |
| Edited by | Lito Carruthers |
| Production company | Park Lane Films |
| Distributed by | Adelphi Films |
| Release date |
|
| Running time | 75 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
My Death Is a Mockery is a 1952 British second feature ('B') crime film directed by Tony Young and starring Donald Houston, Kathleen Byron and Bill Kerr. It was written by Douglas Baber from his novel of the same name.
The following year it attracted notoriety as the last film watched by Christopher Craig before he shot dead a policeman during a failed burglary.
Synopsis
After being condemned to death, a man recounts the events that have brought him there. A struggling Brixham fisherman, he was persuaded by an Australian chancer to switch to smuggling brandy from the French coast. However the murder of a policeman rapidly leads to things falling apart.
Cast
- Donald Houston as John Bradley
- Kathleen Byron as Helen Bradley
- Bill Kerr as Hansen
- Eddie Leslie as Le Cambre
- Liam Gaffney as Father Matthews
- Kenneth Henry as Inspector
- Felix Felton as Closterman
- Sheila McCormack as Patsy, barmaid
- Christopher Quest as first customs officer
- Michael Voysey as second customs officer
- Vincent Holman as prison governor
- Meadows White as warder
- Christmas Grose as sailor
Production
It was shot at the Brighton Studios.
Critical reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Unfortunately the script, particularly at first, is rather pompous and artificial. Otherwise, the film is technically adequate and acting and direction have a certain freshness."
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "mediocre", writing: "Drama is resolutely dark and glum, minimally entertaining."
References
- ^ Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 103. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
- "My Death Is a Mockery". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- "My Death Is a Mockery". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 19 (216): 129. 1 January 1952 – via ProQuest.
- Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 350. ISBN 0-7134-1874-5.
External links
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