Escape Route (film)
Escape Route is a 1952 British thriller film, directed by Seymour Friedman and Peter Graham Scott, and starring George Raft, Sally Gray and Clifford Evans.[1]
| Escape Route | |
|---|---|
 U.S. theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Seymour Friedman Peter Graham Scott |
| Produced by | Ronald Kinnoch |
| Written by | John Baines Nicholas Phipps |
| Starring | George Raft Sally Gray Clifford Evans Reginald Tate |
| Music by | Hans May |
| Cinematography | Eric Cross |
| Edited by | Tom Simpson |
Production company | Banner Films |
| Distributed by | Eros Films (UK) Lippert Pictures (US) |
Release date | December 1952 |
Running time | 77 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
The film was known in the US as I'll Get You[2] (not to be confused with an earlier Raft film, I'll Get You for This).[3]
Synopsis
An American, Steve Rossi, enters Britain by slipping past immigration at Heathrow Airport, leading to a national manhunt by the police. He is finally intercepted by Joan Miller, an MI5 agent, who takes him to her superiors. Rossi reveals himself to be an FBI agent posing as a nuclear scientist in an attempt to infiltrate a gang kidnapping western scientists and taking them across the Iron Curtain. His contact in London is a man named Michael Grand who has recently arranged the kidnap of an American. With MI5's assistance, Rossi monitors Grand and arranges a meeting with him. Growing increasingly suspicious of Rossi, Grand and his organisation make several attempts to kill him.
Cast
- George Raft as Steve Rossi
- Sally Gray as Joan Miller
- Clifford Evans as Michael Grand
- Frederick Piper as Inspector Reid
- Reginald Tate as Colonel Wilkes
- Patricia Laffan as Irma Brookes
- June Ashley as Beauty Shop Attendant
- John Warwick as Security Chief Brice
- Roddy Hughes as Porter
- Grace Arnold as Neighbour
- Cyril Chamberlain as Bailey
- Howard Douglas as Taxi Driver
- Arthur Lovegrove as Phillips
- Anthony Pendrell as Rees
- Norman Pierce as Inspector Hobbs
- Harry Towb as Immigration Officer
Production
It was made at Walton Studios and on location around London, mostly in the City of London, at a time when there was still much bomb damage from the Second World War.[4] American actress Coleen Gray was reported to have been cast opposite Raft, but the role was eventually played by the English star Sally Gray. It was one of several films made by British companies in connection with the low-budget American outfit Lippert Pictures, which distributed the film in the United States. It was made on a larger budget than most Lippert releases.
Reception
The Los Angeles Times said the film was "so mysterious" the filmmakers "almost succeeded in keeping the story to themselves."[5]
References
- Aaker p.152
- "THRILLER ON TWO SCREENS". Los Angeles Times. 17 April 1953. ProQuest 166473524.
- Vagg, Stephen (9 February 2020). "Why Stars Stop Being Stars: George Raft". Filmink.
- "Film: Escape Route". Reel Streets. Retrieved 13 May 2017.
- G, K. (18 April 1953). "Film bill presented in varied dimensions". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 166428315.
Bibliography
- Aaker, Everett. George Raft: The Films. McFarland, 2013.