One of the better London-based crime films of the 1950s/1960s to appear on the Talking Pictures channel. It was interesting to see Anthony Quayle as something of an underdog, and I always puzzle about Edward Judd's transformation as an actor. In "The Challenge", he looks a bit seedy, not helped by unflattering baldness, whereas after some 50 years I can still recall his screen presence in some TV series or other - helped by a toupee, a bit of burliness and a smart suit.I have a feeling that, as with so many films, the regional railway stock and the London terminus didn't match. (And even in those days did drivers really leave ignition keys in their cars?) Despite what others have said, I thought that Jayne Mansfield was adequate, though I fast-forwarded through her song.The poster for the film shown here on IMDb titillates misleadingly. I'm not sure who the cavorting lady is - Billy before she went blonde or the stripper whose act we never got to see completely?

Strange Brit film-noir, in the sense Jayne Mansfield is playing a gang leader (and not even the moll). Anthony Quayle, playing out of character, (Jim) (if you 'don't' include 'Ice Cold in Alex, where he makes good anyway/let off). Simply said, Mansfield's 'Billie' character, sets up her then lover (Quayle) into taking part in a robbery. Carl Mohne as 'Kristy' her 'real'(?) lover, 'makes a phone call to the police to land Jim in it, but it looks like it still had Billie's blessing to land Quayle in it too??? Although the strange thing is, she's left Jim to hide the money without anyone knowing, (including her, where he stashed it). Kristy, thinking she DOES know, is hanging around. Meanwhile, Jim takes the rap because of the 'phone call, does his stretch and is released. However, all in the meantime Billie and the gang, have done numerous robberies whilst Jim was inside. This I don't really get, as Mansfield/Billie didn't know/locate the money from the first robbery with Jim, carries on robbing in the meantime. It's not as if she had Jim's money and was going to use it to finance jobs. On Jim's release, Mansfield and the gang want the money from the first job, Jim of course rebels/refuses for taking the rap - it's not long before the gang decide or rather Kristy does, to kidnap Jim's son, Joey (typical 60's name) in return in trying to get him to blab.Mansfield though is not warmed to the idea of harming or even taking Joey, as Kristy is a psychopath. This is where the film adds a bit more tension in the overall plot of finding Joey, who's in the hands of one of the gang, who's happy to kill joey if Jim isn't forthcoming wit the loot.Edward Judd plays a good role as the Inspector after both Mansfield's gang and all the loot from all the robberies as well as trying to wrest Joey from Kristy's minions.Predictable kind of turns with cops and robbers etc., with some fair action/fighting and tension. It has to be said Quayle played a great role and very well. Mansfield, on the other hand also predictably still plays a dumb blonde role too much like Marilyn Monroe, spoiling it, though for me and the film. She does a good about-face with Mohne's character realising he's a dangerous psycho though. One thing, there's a plot part of the loot being buried and then found to have later, explosives covering it - Jim goes to find it surprised of course, but what's more surprising is the fact the explosives are left out in the open/unguarded!!!

This is a very well acted British film starring superstar Jayne Mansfield and highly respected actor Anthony Quayle. The film begins as Jayne plays a ruthless villianness type woman who gets her kicks robbing banks and jewelry stores and such. She enlists the help of lover Quayle only he gets caught but doesn't rat out Jayne or her gang of thugs. While Quayle's character is in prison, Jayne continues the heists and eventually opens a club. Quayle gets out and beautiful Jaynie looks him up wanting the money he hid before he got caught. Eventually as Quayle refuses to help Jayne and the gang her thugs kidnap his son and chaos ensues. As you view the film you'll forget you are watching a shoddy copy of the tape. My tape is from one of those quickie $5.99 companies called EPI Entertainment Programs. Fans of Jayne Mansfield positively MUST have this in their collection as her performance totally dismisses the naysayers and she acts superbly. Yes I am a fan but I can still honestly say her acting is A+ in this. Many times people don't get past her beautiful face or incredible super figure and forget about her acting which totally shines in this. I also liked Barbara Mullen as Quayle's nervous wreck of a mother. Jayne and Anthony also have a lot of chemistry together. And we are treated to a lovely musical number by Jayne wearing a stunning and incredibly tight evening gown. A must see! I only hope this will be remastered and released to DVD ASAP!

The only good thing about this film is the performance of Anthony Quayle. He gives his character some depth and humanity. No wonder he was soon off to great films such as Laurence of Arabia. If you want a truly great performance by this actor watch Anne of the Thousand Days. His role in that film earned him an Academy Award nomination. The good thing about THIS film is that the plot was a great idea and the flow was pretty quick and kept you interested. What was awful was the quality of the picture and the sound. The actors were blurry and the voices did not match the lip movements. Why was so much wasted on what could have been a really decent movie? Perhaps age and a lack of good DVD quality is the problem? The movie will only be bearable to Anthony Quayle fans, Jayne Mansfield fans, or crime drama fans.