Details

Release year: 1948

Storyline

In Brighton in 1935, small-time gang leader Pinkie Brown murders a journalist and later desperately tries to cover his tracks but runs into trouble with the police, a few witnesses, and a rival gang.

Top credits

Directors

John Boulting

Writers

Cast

Richard Attenborough — Pinkie Brown
Hermione Baddeley — Ida Arnold
William Hartnell — Dallow
Harcourt Williams — Prewitt

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Did you know

• The film was meant to end with Rose listening to the poisonous recording made by Pinkie, which contained the line, "You asked me to make a record of me voice; well, here it is. What you want me to say is, 'I love you'. Here's the truth: I hate you, you little slut..." However, there was concern the ending would be vetoed by the British Board of Film Censors, so screen adapter Terence Rattigan wrote a happy ending with the record needle getting stuck and repeating the phrase "I love you..." The camera then tilts up to a crucifix, suggesting Rose's salvation. Source novel writer Graham Greene has been quoted as noting, "Anybody who had any sense would know that next time Rose would probably push the needle over the scratch and get the full message."

• Brighton Borough Council refused permission for use of the race course because of the damage association with gang crime would do to the town's image. (See the on-screen disclaimer at the start of the movie.)

• Filming took place in Brighton using hidden cameras amongst the real-life crowds. This was mainly because the Brighton authorities objected to the way their town was being depicted as a haven for gangsters.