Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Movie review - "Peggy and the Pownall Case" (1948) **

From Highbury Films a short lived company J Arthur Rank set  up to turn out 50 minute movies when he thought he was going to have to provide all British cinema.

This has an amateurish feel - I don't think the director was a star. It's a shame because the central idea is perfect for a B - about a model who gets involved in busting a spy ring. Peggy Evans is lively in the lead - I wonder why she didn't kick on.

I watched this for Diana Dors, who is wasted as the secretary to someone in British intelligence. Normally I write Dors is the best thing about her movies - not so much here, anyone could have played the part really but she has warmth and energy. She pops on screen. In a few years she would have been perfect for Evans' role but she does feel too young here.

The direction is pervy at times - Evans changes her clothes a lot. Some lazy writing like Dors and Evans having to share a flat when Evans realises her photographer Christopher Lee is a spy. But Lee is in it which is great. He's awkward, all tall and teeth, but it is a young Lee.

The ending has a bit of pace. This could have been a cracker of a B with the concept and the cast but they could't pull it off.

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