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    Home»Movies»Movies by Decade»Movies - 1950s
    Movies - 1950s Movies - C 2 Mins Read

    Cosh Boy (1952)

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    This less than pleasant crime drama was filmed in post-war London and based on a stage play called Master Crook by Bruce Walker about the activities of Cockney jack-the-lad Roy Walsh (James Kenney).

    Walsh makes his dubious living by applying the eponymous weapon to the pates of old ladies on the streets of London and relieving them of their purses.

    Eventually, the police catch up with him and his sidekick Alfie (Ian Whittaker), but in court, the Magistrate passes a fairly lenient probation sentence in suggesting that they join a youth club.

    From the relative safety of the local youth club, Walsh and Alfie use the building as a base for their growing operation. By intimidating other members of the club, they increase their numbers.

    coshboy3

    Walsh’s success goes to his head and he arranges the robbery of the takings from a wrestling night.

    He becomes attracted to his friend’s sister, Rene (Joan Collins), and seduces her on a bomb site whilst his gang beat up her boyfriend. When Rene later becomes pregnant she attempts suicide. It was an early role for a miscast Collins who looks far too sophisticated for her character.

    When the robbery goes wrong, Walsh shoots a doorman and finds himself on a charge of attempted murder.

    Lewis Gilbert‘s study of post-war juvenile delinquency, alienation and rebellion looks tame today but was heavily criticised on release for its sensationalist premise.

    The film was released in some countries under the title The Slasher.

    Roy Walsh
    James Kenney
    Rene Collins
    Joan Collins
    Elsie Walsh
    Betty Ann Davies
    Bob Stevens
    Robert Ayres
    Alfie
    Ian Whittaker
    Mrs Collins
    Hermione Baddeley
    Queenie
    Hermione Gingold
    Gran Walsh
    Nancy Roberts
    Pete
    Stanley Escane
    Darkey
    Sean Lynch
    Brian
    Michael McKeag
    Skinny
    Johnny Briggs
    Inspector Donaldson
    Laurence Naismith
    Woods
    Edward Evans
    Mr Beverley
    Cameron Hall
    Police Sergeant
    Sid James

    Director
    Lewis Gilbert

    Video

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