Submitted by
John V Watson
Kine Weekly
16 July 1931
Two Crowded Hours
Fox, British (A). F.T. Featuring Jane Welsh, John longden, Jerry Verno and Michael Hogan. 3,999 feet. Release date not fixed.
A very good little murder drama with strong comedy relief. It is from a story by Jefferson Farjeon, and it is both well acted and directed.
Story - Scammel, a murderer, who was confined in Broadmoor, escapes. his object is to kill Joyce Denton, a girl who had been a witness for the prosecution. Joyce is protected by Harry Fielding, a detective.
Scammel manages to kill Wayne, another Yard man, but with the help of Jim, a taxi-driver, Fielding is able to trace him. However, Scammel gives Fielding the slip and gets to Joyce's flat. He attacks her, but Fielding arrives in time.
As he is escaping, Scammel is run over by a taxi, and killed.
Acting - Acting honours go to Michael Hogan, for an excellent rendering of the homicidal maniac and to Jerry Verno, for his study of the Cockney taxi-driver. The latter is really brilliant, and the laughs he scores make it difficult sometimes to follow the succeeding sentences.
John Longden is good as Fielding, but Jane Welsh is rather unexpressive as Joyce.
Production - Michael Powell has directed the picture admirably. Not only has he got over the comedy lines with the fullest effort, but has got a real thrill out of the drama and a lot of well-developed action.
The story generally is convincing, and his clever detail work is naturally introduced.
Settings and Photography - Very good use has been made of effective camera angles and the settings of the flat, a low café, and the exterior street scenes are all excellent.
Points of Appeal - The clever story with its thrills and its laughs. The acting of Hogan and Verno.
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