The Saint in London (1939)
Directed by John Paddy Carstairs

Crime / Thriller

Film Review

Abstract picture representing The Saint in London (1939)

Having made his Saint debut in The Saint Strikes Back (1939), George Sanders makes a spirited return to the role in what is widely considered the best of the eight Saint films made by RKO between 1938 ad 1943. Based on a short story entitled The Million Pound Day by the Saint's creator Leslie Charteris (and more faithful to Charteris' original concept than most of the Saint's big screen outings), The Saint in London combines a fast moving mystery-thriller with plenty of witty banter between the main characters. The pairing of Sanders (some years before he became typecast as the archetypal English cad) with Sally Gray (who plays Templar's society sidekick Penny Parker) lightens the mood of the film considerably and seems to be a forerunner of similar partnerships in such shows as The Avengers - Sanders has Patrick Macknee's insouciance and debonair charm (multiplied by a factor of ten), Gray has Diana Rigg's spunk and glamour. David Burns completes the ensemble as a B-movie heavy turned gentleman's gentleman - oddly, he seems to get all the best lines. The film is directed with panache by John Paddy Carstairs, who also has the distinction of directing two episodes in the British 1960s television series The Saint. Today, Carstairs is perhaps best remembered for his brace of Norman Wisdom comedies, which include Just My Luck (1955) and The Square Peg (1959).

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Film Synopsis

On his return to London, high class thief Simon Templar, alias The Saint, investigates the suspicious activities of Bruno Lang, a society gambler who appears to be implicated in a plot to print one million pounds in foreign currency. Having found the evidence he needs in Lang's safe at his country house, Templar narrowly evades death by the timely intervention of Penelope Parker, a society lady with a thirst for adventure. With the grudging support of his old enemy Inspector Teal, Templar uncovers the participants in Lang's outlandish scheme, but will he live to see them brought to justice...?

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Film Credits

Director: John Paddy Carstairs
Script: Lynn Root, Frank Fenton, Leslie Charteris (story)
Cinematographer: Claude Friese-Greene
Music: Marr Mackie
Cast: George Sanders (Simon Templar), Sally Gray (Penelope 'Penny' Parker), David Burns (Dugan), Gordon McLeod (Inspector Claud Teal), Henry Oscar (Bruno Lang), Athene Seyler ('Mother' Lizzie Buckley), John Abbott (Count Stephen Duni), Ralph Truman (Kussella), Charles Carson (John Morgan), Carl Jaffe (Paul Stengler), Norah Howard (Mrs. Edith Morgan), Ballard Berkeley (Sir Richard Blake), Charles Paton (Tobacco Shop Proprietor), Hugh McDermott (Tim), Charles Oliver (Dr. Jim), Ben Williams (Detective Wilkins)
Country: USA
Language: English
Support: Black and White
Runtime: 77 min

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