'The Saint Strikes Back' was a decent start for the Saint films starring George Sanders debuting in the role. It was a flawed film however and gave the impression that the series had not yet hit its stride.Pretty much all the Sanders Saint outings are worth watching at least once, they're not great films, and 'The Saint in New York' with Louis Hayward in the role had more of the mystery feel and a tougher edge that the Sanders Saint films lack a little, but they do entertain and Sanders rarely disappointed in any film he starred or featured in. 'The Saint in London' is an improvement over 'The Saint Strikes Back', with things feeling much more comfortable, with only the production values really being a step down.Was mixed on the execution of the story, it's light-hearted, fun and much easier to follow than that of 'The Saint Strikes Back'. But some of it is a bit thin, with it running out of gas especially at the end, and there is not much mystery. Instead the banter between Sanders and Sally Gray was more prominent and while some of it was sweet and fun others were childish. The only other let-down really are the production values, the sets are atmospheric but there is the sense that the film was made quickly and on a tight budget.Sanders himself is super-suave, sophisticated and wonderfully caddish, while also giving a charming and humorous edge and delivering some cutting lines with aplomb. Would also say that he is even more relaxed here now that the series in general is more settled. There is a much better supporting cast in 'The Saint in London', Sally Gray is a much more engaging and charming leading lady, speaking as somebody who had a low opinion of Wendy Barrie in 'The Saint Strikes Back'.David Burns bringing a surprising range of emotions to a character that could have been a typical stereotypical sidekick role and Henry Oscar makes for a suitably ruthless villain.All in all, a solid and fun film that improves on the previous film if having a few flaws of its own. 7/10 Bethany Cox

This is more the persona of the Saint with George Sanders stepping in the role and bringing just the right amount of dapper and debonair with an element of streetwise knowledge of low life and the underworld.The Saint steps in to foil a currency racket and bumps in to someone escaping from some ruthless gangsters. Along the way he helps a down on his luck Yank and meets a damsel who wants to help him out but ends up needing to be rescued by Templar.The Saint also jousting with Inspector Teal of Scotland Yard so there is a lot of plot going on but although Sanders looks the part this is still a B picture potboiler and nothing more.

Although it stars George Sanders rather than Louis Hayward in the title role (as in the previous "The Saint In New York"), this light-hearted romp through the imaginary underworld of 1930s London is equally silly. Unfortunately, the wisecracks and cameos are no substitute for the poor script, bland plot and unbelievable characters. It appears too to have been made on a shoestring budget.Three things should stand out for the 21st Century viewer: the obvious back projection in the car scenes, the paucity of telephones, and the ubiquity of cigarette smoke. David Burns plays Simon Templar's unlikely sidekick, and the love interest is provided by Sally Gray as flibbertigibbet Penny Parker.

For its historical value alone this film is worth watching. The Saint always manages to outwit his criminal nemeses. What must have appealed to the generation of cinema goers at the time was The Saint's roguish way of making his villains look extremely foolish.I have only read one of the Leslie Charteris Saint novels and found the literary version to be even more intriguing than Sanders portrayal. Sanders however gave Saint afficionados enough to enjoy as their hero once again completely destroys the sinister agenda of the sophisticated crooks.I'm sure many of the older generations pine for the days of heroes such as Sanders where violence was much more left to the imagination than seen.Seventy years have passed since this gem and it is fascinating to observe the lifespans and careers of the actors.