A Case for P.C. 49 – 1951

A Hammer production released by Exclusive Films (UK) and Lippert Films (USA)
Based on the popular B.B.C. feature
All characters in this photoplay are fictitious and bear no relation to any real person, living or dead
Black & White 81 minutes
Storyline
Uniformed bobby P.C.49 dreams of becoming a plain clothes detective. A chance comes his way when, to the consternation of his girlfriend, Joan, he is assigned to protect glamorous model Della Dainton, who has been receiving threatening letters. A murder soon follows, but 49, overwhelmed by Della’s beauty, cannot believe that she could possibly be involved. Joan decides to solve the case herself…
Crew
Function | Credited | Age at Release | Birth | Death | Age | Hammer Credits |
Assistant Director | Jimmy Sangster | 23 | 2 Dec 1927 | 19 Aug 2011 | 83 | 65 |
Camera Operator | Peter Bryan | 31 | 28 Sep 1919 | 1 Sep 1972 | 52 | 22 |
Casting | Michael Carreras | 23 | 21 Dec 1927 | 19 Apr 1994 | 66 | 83 |
Continuity | Renee Glynne | 24 | 3 Aug 1926 | Living | 94 | 38 |
Directed by | Francis Searle | 41 | 14 Mar 1909 | 31 Jul 2002 | 93 | 17 |
Director of Photography | Walter Harvey BSc | 47 | 9 Feb 1903 | 1979 | 75 | 33 |
Editor | James Needs | 31 | 17 Oct 1919 | 2003 | 83 | 111 |
Hair Stylist | Anne Box | 5 | ||||
Make-up | Phil Leakey | 42 | 4 May 1908 | 26 Nov 1992 | 84 | 48 |
Musical Director | Frank Spencer | 39 | 19 Jun 1911 | 1 Feb 1975 | 63 | 21 |
Produced by | Anthony Hinds | 28 | 18 Sep 1922 | 30 Sep 2013 | 91 | 84 |
Production Manager | Arthur Barnes | 65 | 1886 | 1956 | 70 | 20 |
Recordist | Edgar Vetter | 37 | 27 Jan 1913 | 15 Dec 1988 | 75 | 15 |
Screenplay by | Alan Stranks | 48 | 1903 | 18 Jan 1959 | 56 | 2 |
Screenplay by | Vernon Harris | 45 | 26 Feb 1905 | 1 Feb 1999 | 93 | 2 |
Cast
Character | Actor | Age at Release | Birth | Death | Age | Hammer Appearances |
Archibald Berkley Willoughby, PC49 | Brian Reece | 37 | 24 Jul 1913 | 12 Apr 1962 | 48 | 2 |
Chubby | Michael Balfour | 32 | 11 Feb 1918 | 24 Oct 1997 | 79 | 3 |
Coffee Dan | John Warren | 34 | 13 Nov 1916 | 1 Jan 1977 | 60 | 3 |
Cutler | Jack Stewart | 37 | 22 Mar 1913 | 2 Jan 1966 | 52 | 4 |
Della Dainton | Christine Norden | 26 | 28 Dec 1924 | 21 Sep 1988 | 63 | 2 |
Desk Sergeant | John Sharpe | 30 | 5 Aug 1920 | 26 Nov 1992 | 72 | 5 |
Elsie | Joan Seton | 28 | 17 Feb 1922 | 14 Mar 1985 | 63 | 1 |
George Steele | Michael Ripper | 37 | 27 Jan 1913 | 28 Jun 2000 | 87 | 34 |
Inspector Wilson | Gordon McLeod | 66 | 27 Dec 1884 | 16 Oct 1953 | 68 | 2 |
Jimmy Pewter | John Barry | 1 | ||||
Joan Carr | Joy Shelton | 28 | 3 Jun 1922 | 28 Jan 2000 | 77 | 1 |
Mrs Bott | Edna Morris | 44 | 1 Nov 1906 | 11 Aug 1972 | 65 | 1 |
Police Sergeant | Frank Hawkins | 43 | 18 Mar 1907 | 1 Jan 1995 | 87 | 1 |
Sergeant Wright | Campbell Singer | 41 | 16 Mar 1909 | 16 Feb 1976 | 66 | 5 |
Victor Palantine | Leslie Bradley | 43 | 1 Sep 1907 | 20 Jul 1974 | 66 | 1 |
Footnotes
It is round about this time that Hammer made their “permanent” home at Bray Studios. Although they had used the building next door, Oakley Court, in earlier productions, the first film made at the studios themselves was “Cloudburst” (1951).
Also at this time, Hammer concluded a deal for US distribution with Lippert Films. Now able to spend more money, the films from now on generally show a marked improvement in production values. This filmography will reflect this change by giving, where possible, details of the American Distributor.
Details were complied viewing the actual film.
Source of viewing copy – The Hammer Graveyard Collection