Cross-Up (1954)
6/10
Well-paced chase thriller
25 August 2016
I thought TIGER BY THE TAIL was one of the better Tempean Films movies I've watched, something which has a kind of Hitchcockian 'wronged man' thriller flavour to it. It stars the Kansas-born imported American star Larry Parks as a journalist who arrives in London and immediately falls for the charms of a femme fatale, played well by Lisa Daniely. Unfortunately she's also involved with a criminal gang, who soon have Parks in their sights.

This is a short and snappy chase thriller with plenty of tension to recommend it. There's also a surprising amount of atmosphere and funny moments, like when Parks visits Thora Hird's house which is straight out of a Hitchcock movie like SABOTEUR. Parks and Constance Smith aren't the most exciting of leads but they're not bad and you get supporting players like Alexander Gauge and Ronald Leigh-Hunt who can be relied upon to give professional performances. The interlude in the hospital is very well done. John Gilling once again directed, from his own script.
16 out of 16 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed