A Safe Proposition (also known as Night Work[2]) is a 1932 British comedy film directed by Leslie S. Hiscott and starring A. W. Baskcomb, Barbara Gott, Harold French and Austin Trevor.[3] It was written by Michael Barringer and made at Twickenham Studios as a quota quickie[2] for release by Fox Film.[4]
| A Safe Proposition | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Feature on the film in Boy's Cinema magazine (24 September 1932)[1] | |
| Directed by | Leslie S. Hiscott |
| Written by | Michael Barringer |
| Produced by | Julius Hagen |
| Starring | A. W. Baskcomb |
Production company | Real Art Productions |
| Distributed by | Fox Film |
Release date |
|
Running time | 45 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Preservation status
editThe British Film Institute National Archive holds no stills or ephemera, and no film or video materials.[3]
Plot
editTo cover her bridge gambling debts, Emily Woodford sells an expensive necklace given to her by her husband Henry and replaces it with a convincing imitation. To hide the swap, she convinces Reggie Holloway who is courting her daughter Margaret, to stage a robbery and steal the replica from a safe. But unknown to her, Henry has already discovered her plan and has replaced the fake with the original necklace. During the robbery, Reggie encounters burglar Ginger Newton. Believing the jewelry is merely the worthless fake, Reggie helps Ginger escape with the genuine necklace.[5]
Cast
edit- A. W. Baskcomb as Henry Woodford
- Barbara Gott as Emily Woodford
- Harold French as Reggie Holloway
- Joyce Kirby as Margaret Woodford
- Austin Trevor as Count Tonelli
- Alexander Field as Ginger Newton
- Molly Fisher as Mrs. Newton
- Henry B. Longhurst as Sergeant Crouch
Reception
editKine Weekly wrote: "An amusing little crook comedy, enlivened by the performances of the stars as nouveaux riches. Of average merit in every way, it should prove an acceptable second feature in the general programme. ... A. V. Baskcomb gives a very finished performance as the husband, Barbara Gott being also most effective as the agitated and homely wife. Younger members of the cast are not so successful in their portrayals, though they work hard to give good support. Leslie Hiscott, though rather inclined to let his characters talk too much, easily handles his plot."[5]
The Daily Film Renter wrote: "Well-knit story packed with neat situations and abundance of comedy dialogue. ... Excellent photography and settings, and interesting performance of A. V. Baskcomb. ... Acted in just the right spirit by a capable cast, this picture moves well and contains, a number of piquant situations."[6]
References
edit- ↑ "A Safe Proposition". Boy's Cinema (667): 17–20, 28. 24 September 1932.
- 1 2 Chibnall, Steve (2007). Quota Quickies: The Birth of the British 'B' Film. British Film Institute. p. 35. ISBN 978-1844571550.
- 1 2 "A Safe Proposition". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
- ↑ Wood, Linda (1986). British Films, 1927–1939 (PDF). British Film Institute. p. 76. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 October 2022.
- 1 2 "A Safe Proposition". Kine Weekly. 184 (1315): 35. 30 June 1932.
- ↑ "A Safe Proposition". The Daily Film Renter (1675): 6. 29 June 1932. ProQuest 3127082973.