Hammer made a range of films outside the horror genre and some of them are excellent, particularly this unusual thriller reteaming Peter Cushing and André Morell who were superb in The Hound Of The Baskervilles (1958).
Stern-faced and unpopular provincial bank manager Fordyce (Cushing) is visited in his office by a bland-faced gentleman called Hepburn (André Morell), who claims to be an insurance man inspecting security arrangements.
As they talk in the manager’s office, the telephone rings. It is his panic-stricken wife begging her husband to do anything he is asked because she and her son have been held as hostages by a band of thugs.
Fordyce promises not to inform the police but discovers that his chief clerk Pearson (Richard Vernon), has already done so. Fordyce pleads with his staff, who agree to say that there has been a mistake.
Hepburn ultimately strolls out of the bank with £90,000 in a couple of suitcases and Fordyce’s day of terror finally ends. He emerges a changed man.
Fordyce
Peter Cushing
Hepburn
André Morell
Sanderson
Norman Bird
Miss Pringle
Edith Sharpe
Pearson
Richard Vernon
Detective Inspector Mason
Kevin Stoney
Harvill
Barry Lowe
Sally
Lois Daine
Kane
Alan Haywood
Collins
Charles Morgan
Mrs Fordyce
Vera Cook
Tommy
Gareth Tandy
Director
Quentin Lawrence