The Blue Lamp 1950

Directed by Basil Dearden
UK 1950

Introducing PC George Dixon (Warner), charged with showing new boy Andy Mitchell (Hanley) the ropes. There is helping old ladies and giving directions, until the film takes a darker turn when Dixon is killed in a raid on a cinema. The killer (a great turn from young Bogarde) is presented as part of a new breed of post-war criminals, without a code or honour, and even the respectable criminals want to help the police track him down. While the police are presented in an idealized way, London looks a fantastic playground, never more so than in the climactic showdown at White City.

Excerpt from Channel 4 located HERE

The film that spawned George Dixon, of 'Dock Green' fame, here presented as the perfect friendly bobby, teaching new recruit Hanley the rules of the game, until halfway through he is shot and killed by Bogarde's reckless delinquent. Thereafter the film details the search for the killer...

Excerpt from TimeOut Film Guide located HERE.

Poster

Theatrical Release: January 17th, 1950

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DVD Review: Optimum Home Entertainment - Region 2 - PAL

DVD Box Cover		CLICK to order from:
Distribution	Optimum Home Entertainment - Region 2 - PAL
Runtime	1:20:42
Video	1.33:1 Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 4.29 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate:
Audio	English (Dolby Digital 2.0)
Subtitles	None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Optimum Home Entertainment Aspect Ratio: Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Edition Details: • none DVD Release Date: August 21st, 2006 Transparent Keep Case Chapters: 8

Comments:

An acceptable transfer - progressive on 3.7 Gig of a single layered DVD. There is some minor flickering in the beginning but overall adequate sharpness and contrast - with a smidgeon of dirt visible, but reasonably damage free. No supplements or optional subtitles - audio is at a consistent level.

We have the film on our Noir Listing but it skirts onto the outer edge of the style, but definitely has some elements and is very good just as a crime/thriller focusing on the police work side. I enjoyed it!

Gary W. Tooze

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