The Blue Lamp (1950)

A Brilliant Conflict

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

.Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

Classic film, mystery thrillers/crime dramas, the cast in general and seeing Dirk Bogarde pre-stardom was a recipe for greatness. 'The Blue Lamp' is more than great, more like an excellent film.It is easy to see why 'The Blue Lamp' was considered a classic of the post-war Era, of British cinema and film in general at the time and by those who remember it fondly now. Just as much it was easy to see why it was the most popular British film of its year. Sadly, it is a film that is deserving of more credit nowadays. Despite being as great as it is, 'The Blue Lamp' isn't perfect (but comes close). It is undermined only by two performances that don't make the grade and stick out like a sore thumb compared to the sterling work from the rest of the cast.One is Jimmy Hanley, who is rather lightweight in his role which is a somewhat dull one to begin with. The other, and more problematic, is Peggy Evans, who is far too histrionic in hers and it becomes irritating, some of it is amateur hour too.However, nothing can be faulted with everything else. It looks great still, the use of locations are gritty and have a real sense of dread while also being beautifully designed. The lighting is suitably ominous and the cinematography is stylish and every bit as rich in atmosphere. The film is hauntingly scored too and Basil Deardon's direction is taut from the start and never lets go, letting the tension really speak and keeping things at a cracking pace.'The Blue Lamp' has a tightly structured and thoughtful script, and is interesting for its realistic portrayal of the austere times that pushed people into crime. As well as portraying the police in a way that is of the time but never over-glamourized, trivialised or made to look like fools. The story is always compelling with a clever, if not the most surprising, mystery that delivers on the suspense and tension. The confrontation between Dixon and Riley being unforgettable in its shock value, one of British film history's most shocking.Evans and Hanley aside, the rest of the cast do sterling work. As good as Jack Warner and Bernard Lee are the film is stolen by an outstanding Dirk Bogarde, it's hard to believe that Riley was a pre-stardom role that put him on the map and to this day it's one of his best, he's never been more chilling than here.Overall, a post-war British classic, notable for its atmosphere, realism and Bogarde's performance. 9/10 Bethany Cox

"The Blue Lamp" is a British film told in semidocumentary style about the rise of youth crime in Britain after World War II. It follows a seasoned policeman, Dixon (Jack Warner) and a rookie (Jimmy Hanley) and two young thieves, played by Dirk Bogarde and Patric Doonan. When Dixon is shot while trying to stop a robbery, the police search for the perpetrators. The film shows their painstaking grunt work and questioning, and also how the case dovetails another one, the disappearance of a young woman, Diana Lewis (Peggy Evans, quite possibly one of the worst actresses ever to hit movies).This was the film that made 28-year-old Dirk Bogarde a star - he plays the cold, desperate and volatile Tom Riley with the great intensity that was to set him apart from other actors. There was no one quite like him in film - movie star handsome and emotionally complex, with what can best be described as a glint of madness in his eyes. He could play just about anything and did. Not satisfied with matinée idol status, he took the lead in the controversial film Victim in 1961 and wrote after its release: "Overnight, the 4000 maniacs who were writing to me stopped." That was fine with him! Very good movie, with excellent performances all around, with the exception of the hysterical, annoying performance by Evans. Jack Warner does a wonderful job as kindly, experienced P.C. Dixon - so wonderful, in fact, that he continued to play the role after the film in a television series.This is sort of the "Naked City" of London. Very good.

The repercussions of a robbery that goes awry after two "adult delinquents", robbing the check out counter of a coliseum, results in the shooting of a London street copper.The film shows the time leading up to the robbery, both the veteran "bobby", PC Dixon(Jack Warner), questioning whether or not to retire after many years of service, and how his new green partner, Andy Mitchell(Jimmy Hanley),(..who rents a room from him)helps in that decision. Meanwhile hoodlums, Tom Riley(Dirk Bogarde)and Spud(Patric Doonan)coerce a young woman, Diana Lewis(Peggy Evans), into helping them concoct a sting operation in order to score some easy loot. When Dixon startles Riley, the result is multiple gun shots to the copper's chest. Fleeing the scene of the crime, we watch as the trio fall apart at the seams while Scotland Yard begin their investigation as Dixon attempts, unsuccessfully, to rebound from his injuries. Mitchell might just get a chance to avenge his partner when a series of circumstances implicate the criminals.Early Ealing Studios picture, directed by Basil Dearden, with an early performance from Dirk Bogarde who's excellent as a cocky, brash heel getting in a lot of hot water as his Tom Riley's jealousy and fear cause a cycle of damaging events leading to a thrilling car and foot chase through London streets, climaxing into a dog-track. We see the investigation and the effects of Dixon's death on the crime-fighters, while Riley and girlfriend Diana's tumultuous relationship tears apart with jealousy towards Spud increasing the ever-growing friction. We see how fate can deal a bad hand as Dixon's contemplating retirement and deciding to remain a cop leads to his doom. And, how Mitchell remains strong with an impressive resolve despite the fact that his partner's murderer remains at large with citizens holding a not-so-fond view(..at times a vocal contempt) of the police. The film does show that the trio of criminals' plan was badly prepared, with them making poor decisions which cost them dearly.The film is a call to arms in which the police must better prepare themselves for the evolving types of criminals which were appearing from the woodwork and that approaching hoodlums should change for safety's sake.

Not the most exciting of police thrillers, but it has some good performances, a great car chase and the most amazing 50s London location shooting. What the later, Crime Wave (1954) does for Los Angeles, Blue Lamp does for London. City streets, canal side shots, bomb sites, trolley buses, cobbled streets and more. The film also showcases, Jack Warner, whose role would be reprieved for TV's Dixon of Dock Green shown from the late 50s onward and Dirk Bogarde who would become a matinée idol before becoming an even bigger star. Jimmy Hanley should also be mentioned as he too became something of an institution, in my house anyway, when in the late 50s again, he hosted Jim's Inn. This was little more than an excuse to bring products to the attention of the viewing public without actually advertising them. ' What are these, Jim, any good are they?' Yes, just 15 minutes or so of b/w TV promotion and we sat glued! Ah memories