THE FRIGHTENED CITY is one of the films that Sean Connery made in the year before he found fame and success as James Bond in 1962's DR. NO. This one's a crime epic with a much more complex plot than is usual for the British B-picture genre: it involves rival gangsters setting up extensive criminal operations and subsequently falling out and gunning for each other over turf and business.
Connery is the young tough brought in to restore order and he brings plenty of warmth and charisma to what is otherwise a pretty tough role. The supporting cast is very good and well worth tuning in for. Herbert Lom isn't in it too much unfortunately but Alfred Marks, who I've only previously seen in comic fare like DESERT MICE, is fine as a really hateful character. John Gregson slips into the well-worn shoes of the detective with ease. Yvonne Romain (THE CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF) is an arresting femme fatale. Patrick Holt plays another cop and George Pastell a put-upon Italian who is the subject of one or two racist gags. Kenneth Griffith bags the most sympathetic part as the crippled friend. Marianne Stone, Bruce Seton, and even Stephen Lewis (Blakey from ON THE BUSES!) appear in bit parts. There isn't a wealth of action in THE FRIGHTENED CITY, but the plot feels fresh, involved, and fast-moving, and the ending is particularly strong.
The Frightened City
1961
Action / Crime / Drama
Plot summary
In London's West End, crooked mob accountant Waldo Zhernikov meets with gangster and nightclub owner Harry Foulcher to create a new crime syndicate. Waldo suggests that Harry recruit the five most prolific mobsters from the West End and create a syndicate with Harry as a boss. Every member of the syndicate would still control his usual territory and they would all evenly divide the profits, after paying Waldo his customary 20 per cent fee. During a meeting, they all agree to the plan. Their racket is the protection business. They force many small merchants and business owners to pay a monthly protection fee. Most victims comply out of fear. Those who refuse, are intimidated, beaten or have their businesses vandalized by hired thugs. The police does what it can to stop these acts but the resources and manpower are stretched to the limit. Detective Inspector Sayers is in charge of the West End rackets investigation. But witnesses are afraid to talk to the police. The crime syndicate had some initial success and the money is flowing. Former cat burglar Paddy Damion is recruited by the mob to act as the syndicate's enforcer. His girlfriend, Sadie, is an attractive blonde but he prefers to court nightclub singer Anya Bergodin who is Waldo's mistress. Ever more greedy for money, Waldo wants to go into the big time rackets and starts putting the squeeze on major construction companies and land developers. Upset about this, one member of the crime syndicate, Alf Peters, quits the group. Annoyed by his departure, the other mobsters start a gang war against Alf. When the war escalates, the government takes notice and the pressure on the law enforcement forces the police to arrest and then recruit Paddy Damion to rat on the syndicate. Its days are numbered.
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British crime epic with a more involved plot than usual
Good British gangster flick.
Sean Connery plays Paddy Damion, a thug in the West End of London that is lured into a protection racket scheme. The story takes place in a rundown section of the city, where the citizens and business owners are held in the tight grip of extortionists. Damion goes to work for a mobster(Alfred Marks)in order to support his fellow burglar(Kenneth Griffith),who was injured during a robbery. There's plenty of work to go around as six major "protection" rings join together for combined success. Damion has a change of heart and helps Scotland Yard Inspector Sayers(John Gregson)bring down sinister crime boss Waldo Zhernikov(Herbert Lom).
John Lemont directs this crime drama for Darryl Zanuck. The movie is good and Connery is better. Also in the cast: Yvonne Romain, Olive McFarland, David Davies and Patrick Holt.
A decent enough gangster picture
A better than average script from Leigh Vance and director John Lemont and a highly charismatic performance from a pre-Bond Sean Connery give this British gangster picture something of a lift. It's hardly ground-breaking and the plot offers nothing new but it's tough and well cast, (as well as Connery there is excellent work from Herbert Lom and Alfred Marks as villains even if we do have to put up with the dull John Gregson on the right side of the law),and it passes ninety or so minutes pleasantly enough.