His Brother's Keeper (1940 film)
| His Brother's Keeper | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Roy William Neill |
| Written by |
|
| Produced by | Samuel Sax |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Basil Emmott |
| Music by | Bretton Byrd |
Production company | Warner Brothers-First National Productions |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
Release date |
|
Running time | 70 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Budget | £18,238[1] |
| Box office | £10,383[1] |
His Brother's Keeper is a 1940 British second feature ('B')[2] crime film directed by Roy William Neill and starring Clifford Evans, Tamara Desni and Una O'Connor.[3] It was written by Austin Melford, Brock Williams and Neill.
Plot
A successful sharp shooting act is threatened when a gold-digging blues singer attempts to split them up.
Cast
- Clifford Evans as Jack Cornell
- Tamara Desni as Olga
- Una O'Connor as Eva
- Peter Glenville as Hicky
- Reginald Purdell as Bunny Reeves
- Ronald Frankau as George Hollis
- Antoinette Lupino as Pat
- Aubrey Dexter as Sylvester
- Frederick Burtwell as Harry
- Roddy McDowall as boy
Production
It was made at Teddington Studios and was completed before the outbreak of the Second World War.[2]
Reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "The story opens slowly and gradually achieves a rhythm of suspense. The photography is very sharp and clear, which helps to intensify the atmosphere of strain. The film is very well cast, especially Peter Glenville as the idealistic Hicky and Clifford Evans as the elder brother brusquely devoted to the younger. The minor characters are also well worked out, Una O'Connor as Olga's dresser, particularly, adding many touches to the detail of the story. The direction by Roy William Neill is excellent."[4]
Kine Weekly wrote: "An artificial story set in an artificial world, its emotionalism is mostly superficial. Still, if it seldom approximates to life, it is at least good theatre, and on this score it is entitled to a measure of popular approbation. The principal players, none of whom is unknown, are adequate in the circumstances, and the ambitious settings have an aura of authenticity. ... It is not easy to believe the unsophisticated Hicky could share an act with his cynical brother Jack without gaining some knowledge of the ways of women of the world, but this fundamental extravagance apart the film does not make bad dramatic entertainment. Love, filial and profane, is responsible for moving emotionalism. The sharpshooting act contributes to essential excitement. The ending, too, has a note of irony as well as one of tragedy. Staging is particularly good."[5]
The Daily Film Renter wrote: "Tensely worked out, with holding climax, story is elegantly staged ... It is not a pretty tale, but it is deftly presented, with smart directorial touches, and packs a suspenseful climax."[6]
References
- ^ a b Steve Chibnall (2019) Hollywood-on-Thames: the British productions ofWarner Bros. – First National, 1931–1945, Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, 39:4, pp 687-724, DOI: 10.1080/01439685.2019.1615292 at p 713
- ^ a b Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 3. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
- ^ "His Brother's Keeper". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
- ^ "His Brother's Keeper". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 6 (61): 186. 1 January 1939. ProQuest 1305807787.
- ^ "His Brother's Keeper". Kine Weekly. 270 (1687): 20. 17 August 1939. ProQuest 2362081409.
- ^ "His Brother's Keeper". The Daily Film Renter. 270 (3838): 7. 10 August 1939. ProQuest 2826308771.