Never Let Go
Directed by John Guillermin
Written by Alun Falconer; story by John Guillermin and Peter de Sarigny
1960/UK
Julian Wintle/Leslie Parkyn Productions
Repeat viewing/Netflix rental
[box] [on developing a role for the screen] I walk around, trying different accents, feeling my way to the character. I stare at my own image in the mirror every morning, waiting for the other fellow – the man I’m going to play – to emerge and stare back at me. I am waiting for the stranger to come into my life. When it happens, I have this flush of happiness. — Peter Sellers[/box]
I saw this back at the dawn of time but didn’t remember the title. Peter Sellers’ performance in this violent film noir was unforgettable however.
Lionel Meadows runs a garage but his real business is in stolen cars. In his work, he employs a number of people including a gang of teenage hoodlums lead by Tommy Towers (Adam Faith). Meadows is outwardly quite affable but any deviation from his will is met with vicious physical violence.
John Cummings (Richard Todd) is a cosmetic salesman. He is desperate to prove himself after a number of failed efforts. His over-zealousness has made him unpopular with his customers however. He recently purchased a car in an attempt to increase his sales calls and sales. True to form, he has neglected to insure it.
Tommy steals Cummings’ car from outside his place of work. Pressure on the police does not net Cummings his vehicle so he begins his own investigation. He refuses to stop after urging by both the police and his long-suffering wife (Elizabeth Sellars). He may not survive the inevitable final confrontation with Meadows.
Peter Sellers is absolutely fantastic in a deadly serious role. I still remembered the shocking scene with the aquarium after so many years. The story itself moves at a brisk pace. John Barry wrote the jazzy score. Despite a quibble with the very end, I thoroughly enjoyed this film.
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