Time Bomb (1953 film)
Encyclopedia
Time Bomb is a 1953 British-made MGM post-war thriller film written by Kem Bennett and directed by Ted Tetzlaff
. It starred Glenn Ford
and Anne Vernon
.
, a policeman, constable Charles Baron (John Horsley), is involved in a confrontation with an individual who is believed to be a local vagrant. It is soon found out to be a saboteur who has left a suitcase full of detonators and bomb making components at the railway yard. Upon realising that the individual at the yard was attempting to sabotage a trainload of sea mines, destined for the Naval Yard at Portsmouth
, the police prevent the train from leaving. However, the wagons are in a residential area and the police have to evacuate local residents.
The local authorities get in contact with former US Army bomb specialist Peter Lyncort (Glenn Ford), who is in vacationing in the city with his wife Janie (Anne Vernon). Lyncort agrees to help, when the city's security chief Jim Warrilow (Maurice Denham) calls. Lyncort's wife had walked out on him after their tenth fight in just one month.
The police set a trap for the saboteur, who had planned and set up the scheme, by stationing police at Portsmouth railway station
knowing that he, the saboteur, will be there to see the fruits of his labours like an arsonist who stays at the scene of his crime. Spotted by Constable Baron the suspect is apprehended and flown by helicopter back to Birmingham to help Lyncort and his new assistant, Warilow, find and disarm the explosive charge hidden in one of the hundreds of underwater mines.
During this Janine remains unaware of the actions her husband is undertaking. Coming home to make up with Lyncort she finds the hotel room empty at 3 am and starts making phone calls to all the local hospitals, fearing Lyncort has been involved in an accident.
Eventually, Janie finds out where her husband is and arrives just in time to see Lyncort save the city.
Ted Tetzlaff
Dale H. "Ted" Tetzlaff was a noted Academy Award-nominated Hollywood cinematographer active in the 1930s and 1940s. He was particularly favored by actress Carole Lombard...
. It starred Glenn Ford
Glenn Ford
Glenn Ford was a Canadian-born American actor from Hollywood's Golden Era with a career that spanned seven decades...
and Anne Vernon
Anne Vernon
Anne Vernon , born Edith Antoinette Alexandrine Vignaud is a French actress. She has appeared in 40 films between 1948 and 1970, including three films that were entered into the main competition at the Cannes Film Festival....
.
Plot
In the English city of BirminghamBirmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, a policeman, constable Charles Baron (John Horsley), is involved in a confrontation with an individual who is believed to be a local vagrant. It is soon found out to be a saboteur who has left a suitcase full of detonators and bomb making components at the railway yard. Upon realising that the individual at the yard was attempting to sabotage a trainload of sea mines, destined for the Naval Yard at Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
, the police prevent the train from leaving. However, the wagons are in a residential area and the police have to evacuate local residents.
The local authorities get in contact with former US Army bomb specialist Peter Lyncort (Glenn Ford), who is in vacationing in the city with his wife Janie (Anne Vernon). Lyncort agrees to help, when the city's security chief Jim Warrilow (Maurice Denham) calls. Lyncort's wife had walked out on him after their tenth fight in just one month.
The police set a trap for the saboteur, who had planned and set up the scheme, by stationing police at Portsmouth railway station
Portsmouth railway station
Portsmouth railway station may refer to:* Portsmouth Harbour railway station in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England* Portsmouth and Southsea railway station in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England* Portsmouth Arms railway station in Portsmouth Arms, Devon, England...
knowing that he, the saboteur, will be there to see the fruits of his labours like an arsonist who stays at the scene of his crime. Spotted by Constable Baron the suspect is apprehended and flown by helicopter back to Birmingham to help Lyncort and his new assistant, Warilow, find and disarm the explosive charge hidden in one of the hundreds of underwater mines.
During this Janine remains unaware of the actions her husband is undertaking. Coming home to make up with Lyncort she finds the hotel room empty at 3 am and starts making phone calls to all the local hospitals, fearing Lyncort has been involved in an accident.
Eventually, Janie finds out where her husband is and arrives just in time to see Lyncort save the city.
Cast
- Glenn FordGlenn FordGlenn Ford was a Canadian-born American actor from Hollywood's Golden Era with a career that spanned seven decades...
as Major Peter Lyncort - Anne VernonAnne VernonAnne Vernon , born Edith Antoinette Alexandrine Vignaud is a French actress. She has appeared in 40 films between 1948 and 1970, including three films that were entered into the main competition at the Cannes Film Festival....
as Janine Lyncort - Maurice DenhamMaurice DenhamMaurice Denham OBE was an English character actor who appeared in over 100 television programmes and films throughout his long career.-Life and career:...
as Jim Warilow - Harcourt WilliamsHarcourt WilliamsHarcourt Williams was an English character actor.-Selected filmography:* Henry V * Brighton Rock * Hamlet * No Room at the Inn * The Lost People...
as Vicar - Victor MaddernVictor MaddernVictor Jack Maddern was an English actor.Born in Seven Kings, Ilford, Essex, Maddern was one of large group of dependable supporting actors that British film produced over the years....
as Saboteur - Harold WarrenderHarold WarrenderHarold Warrender was a British film actor.His father was Sir George Warrender, 7th Baronet.-Selected filmography:* Leave It to Blanche * Lady in Danger * Mimi * Lazybones...
as Sir Evelyn Jordan - John HorsleyJohn Horsley (actor)John L. Horsley is an English actor. He was born in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, England.He made his acting debut at the Theatre Royal in Bournemouth. His early career saw him playing a succession of doctors and policemen, the former on film in Hell Drivers , the latter on television in Big...
as Constable Charles Baron - Campbell SingerCampbell SingerCampbell Singer was a British character actor who featured in a number of film and television roles during his long career....
as Inspector Brannon - Bill FraserBill Fraser-External links:* *...
as Constable J. Reed - Herbert C. Walton as Old Charlie
- Martin WyldeckMartin Wyldeck-Selected filmography:* My Wife's Lodger * Time Bomb * Timeslip * Just Joe * The Girl on the Boat * The Pot Carriers * Night Must Fall * The Return of Mr...
as Sergeant Collins - Arthur HamblingArthur HamblingArthur Hambling was a British actor, he was best known for appearances in the films Henry V and The Lavender Hill Mob .-Selected filmography:* The Scoop * French Leave...
as Train Driver - Harry LockeHarry LockeHarry Locke was a British character actor.He was born and died in London. He was a familiar face in three decades of British cinema, with appearances including Passport to Pimlico , Reach for the Sky , Carry On Nurse , The Devil-Ship Pirates and The Family Way .In 1969 he appeared in Randall...
as Train Fireman - Frank Atkinson as Guard
- Ernest ButcherErnest Butcher-Selected filmography:* Stepping Toes * Me and My Pal * Black Eyes * Pack Up Your Troubles * Freedom Radio * Old Mother Riley in Business * Pimpernel' Smith * When We Are Married...
as Martindale