The House Opposite is a 1931 British crime film directed by Walter Summers and starring Henry Kendall, Frank Stanmore and Arthur Macrae.[2][3] It was written by Summers based on the 1931 novel The House Opposite by Joseph Jefferson Farjeon, and was made as a quota quickie[4] at Elstree Studios outside London.[5] A police officer pursues a gang of blackmailers.
| The House Opposite | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Contemporary trade advertisement from The Daily Film Renter (16 March 1932)[1] | |
| Directed by | Walter Summers |
| Written by | Walter Summers |
| Based on | The House Oppsosite by Joseph Jefferson Farjeon |
| Produced by | Walter Summers |
| Starring | Henry Kendall Frank Stanmore Arthur Macrae |
| Cinematography | Bert Ford James Wilson |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Pathé Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 66 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Preservation status
editThe British Film Institute National Archive holds a collection of stills but no film or video materials.[2]
Plot
editYoung detective Hobart tracks down the headquarters of a gang of blackmailers, surveils them from the empty house opposite. He is trapped by the gang, but escapes during a fire.
Cast
edit- Henry Kendall as Hobart
- Frank Stanmore as Ben
- Celia Glyn as Nadine
- Arthur Macrae as Randall
- Wallace Geoffrey as Clitheroe
- Renée Macready as Jessica
- Abraham Sofaer as Fahmy
- Molly Lamont as Doris
- Charles Farrell as Wharton
Reception
editFilm Weekly wrote: "A well-staged fire, a debonaire performance by Henry Kendall, and some simple human comedy in a very naive thriller. Fair entertainment for the indulgent."[6]
Kine Weekly wrote: "Blackmail drama which takes rather a long time to get into its stride, but finishes up with a spectacular fire thrill, which helps to compensate for the leisurely treatment. There is popular humour to relieve the suspense, and an attractive cast of box-office value. Fair, average supporting offering. ... Henry Kendall plays the young detective with breezy bravado."[7]
The Daily Film Renter wrote: "Story rather elementary at times but interest well maintained. Good suspense and humour and realistic fire scenes. Staging generally outstandingly good. ... Generally the directorial work is uneven, but there is a fire staged with good English realism and indeed, the stage work throughout calls for special praise. The occasional story weaknesses are balanced by plentiful humour of a not too subtle variety, and brisk action holds interest to the end."[8]
References
edit- ↑ "The House Opposite". The Daily Film Renter (1588): 4. 16 March 1932. ProQuest 2594629146.
- 1 2 "The House Opposite". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
- ↑ "BFI | Film & TV Database | The House Opposite (1932)". BFI. Archived from the original on 15 January 2009. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
- ↑ Chibnall, Steve (2007). Quota Quickies: The Birth of the British 'B' Film. British Film Institute. p. 100. ISBN 978-1844571550.
- ↑ Wood, Linda (1986). British Films, 1927–1939 (PDF). British Film Institute. p. 72. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 October 2022.
- ↑ "The House Opposite". Film Weekly. 8 (199): 25-26. 5 August 1932. ProQuest 1705181596.
- ↑ "The House Opposite". Kine Weekly. 181 (1301): 27. 24 March 1932. ProQuest 2322677929.
- ↑ "The House Opposite". The Daily Film Renter (1594): 4. 23 March 1932. ProQuest 3127051204.