CASH ON DEMAND (1961)
Part of the 5th Great Hammer-Amicus Blogathon
Welcome back to the Blogathon dear readers and all you fans of the macabre. If you're hoping for a review of something ghoulish in the way of vampires and monsters you might be in for a shock; this is a film about banking. Which you have to admit is a truly spine-chilling turn of events. But the most sinister element of all is yet to come since this also a secret Christmas movie. That's right, it's even got party hats and snow. But not to worry, there's a good suspense thriller storyline to enjoy as well as a duo of classic lead actors that will be very familiar to many of you. Let's take a peek into the security vault and see what's in store...
Just a couple of years prior to this Hammer was well into their horror phase with new takes on several iconic screen monsters, now in colour, kicking off a new era of British cinema. They even did a version of The Hound of the Baskervilles starring Peter Cushing and André Morell. However, there was still room for other genres at the studio. One of the productions, an adaptation of the play The Gold Inside, would reunite Holmes and Watson, (or Winston and O'Brien if you prefer) giving their respective actors two compelling roles to work with. The results are predictably scaled back but the material provides plenty of suspense in a small location.
Bank manager Fordyce (Cushing) is a man who has no time for sentiment at this time of year, or perhaps at any time, and only values efficiency and following the rules. He's a real stick-up-his-backside type of guy who polishes the bank's branch plaque when he arrives and considers any sort of tiny mistake a path to potential embezzlement. All of this gives Cushing lots to work with in terms of body language; particularly the tie he wears which never seems to be tight enough. But his anti-social tendencies are soon put to the test when an alleged insurance inspector arrives two days before Christmas.
'Colonel' Hepburn (Morell) claims to be a security expert sent to check on the bank's procedures. But of course this isn't true and soon he's got Fordyce trapped in his own office thanks to a twisted threat against his family. Morell gets to enjoy himself as the sadistic crook, a role he'd played on stage, someone who is as sociable as he is calculating. In contrast to his target he enjoys talking to all the staff and making wry comments about the situation. Hepburn has got all the details worked out and knows about everyone, how to perform in front of them, and just how much money they're holding downstairs.
The cast is small and the locations are scant but the film mines a lot of suspense from the situation. Hepburn claims to have men watching for him outside, and others and Fordyce's home, ready to take action if the police are alerted. Meanwhile things like a phone call from the insurance company, a gun with no bullets, and a tour of the vault's security systems, all start to ratchet up the tension. There's even a sort of jump scare involving a window cleaner just when things seem to be going smoothly. Perhaps it could do with more red herrings and accidental mistakes but the pacing is good throughout.
The final conclusion might be a little too tidy but this leads back to it all being a Christmas movie. Fordyce is Ebenezer Scrooge and has to be put through the wringer before he will get into the holiday spirit. But like any good drama new sides of his personality are revealed when he's put under pressure. One particular jibe about the weather on Dartmoor this time of year, in response to Hepburn's plan to escape and take a holiday, is nicely acidic as the stress increases. It's a story without any real violence (beyond a one giant slap) but it's got a good deal of atmosphere despite the small budget.
In the end this is a refreshingly brisk thrill ride from the director of The Trollenberg Terror, which goes to show those behind the camera also have some range. The appearance of Santa (collecting for charity outside) and the looming threat of an office party (which also needs funding) add a welcome festive layer. But overall it's just an entertaining tale of a man who thinks too much of himself being taken down a peg or two by someone who turns the rules against him. Neither one is as clever as they think, making for some great animosity as their opposing personalities clash. Be sure to check it out and see the eighty-minute version if you can.
4/5
Previously on the Great Hammer-Amicus Blogathon:
