Distant Trumpet
| Distant Trumpet | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Terence Fisher |
| Screenplay by | Derek Elphinstone |
| Story by | Derek Elphinstone |
| Produced by | Derek Elphinstone Harold Richmond |
| Starring | Derek Bond |
| Cinematography | Gordon Lang |
| Edited by | John Seabourne |
| Music by | David Jenkins Kenneth V. Jones (composer: additional music - uncredited) |
Production company | Meridian Films |
| Distributed by | Apex Film Distributors (UK) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 63 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Distant Trumpet is a 1952 British second feature ('B')[1] drama film directed by Terence Fisher and starring Derek Bond and Jean Patterson.[2][3] It was written by Derek Elphinstone.
Plot
[edit]A Harley Street doctor answers the call to perform medical missionary work in Africa, taking over from his indisposed brother.[4]
Cast
[edit]- Derek Bond as David Anthony
- Jean Patterson as Valerie Maitland
- Derek Elphinstone as Richard Anthony
- Anne Brooke as Beryl Jeffries
- Grace Gavin as Mrs. Phillips
- Jean Webster Brough as Mrs. Waterhouse
- Grace Denbeigh-Russell as Mrs Hallet
- Constance Fraser as Mrs Nettley
- Alban Blakelock as Mr Harris
- John Howlett as Bill Hepple
- Keith Pyott as Sir Rudolph Gettins
- Peter Fontaine as Peter
- Gwynne Whitby as Lady Marriot-Stokes
- Anne Hunter as 'simply dressed wWoman'
Reception
[edit]The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "This film is decidedly amateurish in story, in treatment, and apart from Derek Bond, in acting."[5]
Kine Weekly wrote: "Stiff-upper-lip romantic drama, with a clinical fringe. The picture is nearly all talk – a glimpse of Kensington Gardens and an African outpost are the only exteriors – but the dialogue is intelligent and the interplay of character neat. Derek Bond has an agreeable bedside manner as David; Derek Elphinstone convinces as the zealous Richard; and Jean Patterson looks attractive in white as Valerie. The supporting types are slightly overdrawn, but nevertheless provide effective, if occasionally unintentional, light relief."[6]
Picture Show wrote: "It is rather slow moving but good performances are given by the leading players."[7]
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "mediocre", writing: "so poorly acted it loses one's interest."[8]
References
[edit]- ^ Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 127. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
- ^ "Distant Trumpet". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
- ^ "Distant Trumpet (1952)". BFI. Archived from the original on 16 February 2017.
- ^ "Distant Trumpet (1952) - Terence Fisher". AllMovie.
- ^ "Distant Trumpet". The Monthly Film Bulletin. Vol. 19, no. 216. 1 January 1952. p. 109 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "Distant Trumpet". Kine Weekly. Vol. 424, no. 2349. 3 July 1952. p. 24 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "Distant Trumpet". Picture Show. Vol. 59, no. 1539. 27 September 1952. p. 10 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 302. ISBN 0-7134-1874-5.