The Gilded Cage is a 1955 second feature British crime film directed by John Gilling and starring Alex Nicol, Veronica Hurst and Clifford Evans. It was written by Brock Williams from a story by Paul Erickson.
Contents
Plot
Two brothers become involved with criminals planning a major art heist involving the paintingThe Gilded Cage, only to be framed by them for the theft.
Cast
Alex Nicol as Steve Anderson
Michael Alexander as Harry Anderson
Veronica Hurst as Marcia Farrell
Clifford Evans as Ken Aimes
Ursula Howells as Brenda Lucas
Trevor Reid as Inspector Brace
Elwyn Brook-Jones as Bruno
John Stuart as Harding
Kenneth Cope as hotel receptionist
Ronan O'Casey as Trickson
Critical reception
Monthly Film Bulletin said "A modest mystery thriller, competently made except for a few wild improbabilities in the plot and a five-figure London telephone number. There are good performances by Elwyn Brooke-Jones and Clifford Evans."
Kine Weekly wrote: "Colourful, if somewhat dishevelled, crime melodrama. ... The characterisation and staging are adequate and, what with one and the other, it succeeds in extracting quite a few thrills from the tangled skein of the tale."
Picturegoer wrote: "Vigorously handled by Alex Nicol, Veronica Hurst and Clifford Evans, seen as hero, heroine and villain respectively, it carries quite a kick."
Picture Show wrote: "'Thrilling and fast-moving there is plenty of exciting action."
The Radio Times Guide to Films gave the film 2/5 stars, writing: "After a string of supporting roles for Universal in the early 1950s, Alex Nicol earned a dubious promotion to leading man in this British thriller, co-starring Clifford Evans. Director John Gilling tries to push this tale of art theft and murder along at a decent pace, but spotting who framed Nichol's brother is hardly taxing."
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "average", writing: "Standard thriller, vigorously played."
Sky Movies noted a "standard British thick-ear thriller of the Fifties ... Vigorous playing from a solid cast that includes Clifford Evans and Veronica Hurst sees the ingenuous story through."
Releases
The film was released on DVD by Renown Pictures in 2013.