Although the friend who'd raved about 'Cash On Demand' has - to maintain the Dickens analogy - provided me with at least as many 'worst of times' for his thumbs-up verdicts, as he has 'best of times', so effusively did he praise this one that I really had to check it out; and, anyway, I'd already bought the DVD box-set. But he really should have warned me about the 'Christmas Carol' connection because, once I'd made the seasonal connection - not so subtle, given the early calendar shot - and spotted the Bob Cratchitt character, and then his Scrooge, and - somewhat less certainly, as I don't recall the nuances of his character - the Jacob Marley character, it really didn't matter how close or otherwise the script and plot would follow its Dickens inspiration, as I was always expecting it to, and watching through to the end credits was more a case of: "well, I've started, so I'll finish".Peter Cushing's character was different to his usual, and I suppose in that he was relatively convincing, but André Morell's part was always going to be the most winning, and he revelled in it.A massive disappointment: Bah, humbug!

December the 23rd. The City & Colonial Bank is visited by a charming stranger identifying himself as Col. Gore Hepburn (Andre Morell). He asks to speak with bank manager Harry Fordyce (Peter Cushing), who's a harsh, demanding, detail-oriented type who doesn't care to get to know his employees better. Soon Hepburn is revealed as a very clever and ruthless bank robber who forces Fordyce into being an accomplice by threatening Fordyces' wife and son. In a short span of time Fordyce shows a touch more humanity by revealing what it is in the world that he cares most about.Director Quentin Lawrence ("The Trollenberg Terror") does a creditable job with this meaty script, written by David T. Chantler and Lewis Greifer based on a play by Jacques Gillies. And one can tell that this is based on a play, with the accent on dialogue, but it's interesting and riveting all the way through, with very taut direction by Lawrence who gets superb performances out of his two talented leads. Cushing is a joy to watch as a man who becomes more sympathetic as the story plays out. And Morell is fun as the dapper, (mostly) calm thief. Solid support is provided by Richard Vernon as Pearson, the banks' second-in-command, Barry Lowe as the teller Harvill, and Kevin Stoney as Detective Inspector Mason.Also indicating a stage origin is a limited number of sets, but this only serves to give this superior film an intimate feel and help us to get completely involved in this twist-laden plot. And the story, which works as a variation on the classic Dickens tale "A Christmas Carol", is irresistible for its theme of a person in need of some redemption.Slickly made in every respect, this is among the best of the black & white Hammer thrillers.Eight out of 10.

This Hammer production is not like any other. There's no monster to be found and Peter Cushing plays the (mostly) good guy! He's the Scrooge-like manager of a bank, visited upon by an insurance inspector (André Morell) only to find out he's been duped into assisting in a robbery. Based on a play but nevertheless suspenseful enough to be cinematic. Director Quentin Lawrence wisely keeps his camera moving...whizzing between rooms and up & down stairs. Cushing is dynamite in a role that elicits sympathy despite the fact that he's a mean-spirited company man...goading his underlings with petty complaints (the bank pens are not up to snuff) and constantly reminding them of their workplace class structure where he is, of course, on top. Morell is quite good as well, straddling between efficiency and pure evil. One flaw: what could have been quite an ironic ending is dulled by too much explication. Richard Vernon is exceptional as Cushing's nervous subordinate.

This film is unbelievably riveting from start to finish. I first saw this film in the late sixties and never forgot this compelling tale of sheer suspense.It is rare indeed for a film with just two principal characters to sustain a film with sheer psychological terror. I'd say don't miss! (albeit, sadly, a little seen movie).