Salute the Toff
Encyclopedia
Salute the Toff is a 1952
British crime film directed by Maclean Rogers
and starring John Bentley
and Carol Marsh
. The film was based on the 1941 novel of the same name by John Creasey
, the sixth in the series featuring upper-class sleuth Richard Rollison, also known as "The Toff
". This film and another Toff adaptation Hammer the Toff
were shot back-to-back at Nettlefold Studios
in the summer of 1951. They were released to cinemas in January and May 1952 respectively.
Neither film is known to survive and both are classed as "missing, believed lost
", although there is a degree of hope that they may be lurking as yet uncatalogued in British TV archives. Both films are included on the British Film Institute
's "75 Most Wanted
" list of missing British feature films.
Pretty young secretary Fay Gretton (Marsh) comes to Rollison, worried that her employer has not shown up for work for several days and cannot be contacted. Rollison breaks into the man's flat and finds a body – not that of Fay's missing boss, but the son of a millionaire businessman. The missing man is the prime suspect, and it is up to Rollison to get to the bottom of the case, aided by his East End contacts. After a series of dramatic events, including Fay being abducted and tied up, the truth is finally revealed, the missing man is found, and Rollison proves beyond question that he is innocent of any wrongdoing.
described it as "a sturdy, comprehensive yarn", while the Daily Film Renter called it "a deep and varied plot of robbery and murder, calculated to keep audience attention alert, a popular winner in the mystery and murder category". Today's Cinema enjoyed the film, but pointed out that sophisticated fare was not on the menu by classing it as a "bustling crime and detection action of the brand beloved by the masses".
1952 in film
The year 1952 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 10 - Cecil B. DeMille's circus epic, The Greatest Show on Earth, premieres at Radio City Music Hall in New York City....
British crime film directed by Maclean Rogers
Maclean Rogers
-Selected filmography:Director* The Third Eye * The Mayor's Nest * Up for the Derby * The Crime at Blossoms * Trouble * Summer Lightning * It's a Cop * Virginia's Husband...
and starring John Bentley
John Bentley (actor)
John Bentley was a British film actor who emerged in the 1970s as Hugh Mortimer, Meg Richardson's ill-fated new husband in the soap opera Crossroads. He also starred in the jungle adventure series African Patrol as Chief Inspector Paul Derek and made various other guest appearances...
and Carol Marsh
Carol Marsh
Carol Marsh , born Norma Simpson, was an English film actress known for winning the part of Rose in the film Brighton Rock after thousands auditioned for the part....
. The film was based on the 1941 novel of the same name by John Creasey
John Creasey
John Creasey MBE was an English crime and science fiction writer. The author of more than 600 novels, he published them using 28 different pseudonyms, including Anthony Morton, Michael Halliday, Kyle Hunt, J.J. Marric, Jeremy York, Richard Martin, Peter Manton, Norman Deane, Gordon Ashe, Henry St...
, the sixth in the series featuring upper-class sleuth Richard Rollison, also known as "The Toff
The Toff
In the series of adventure novels by John Creasey, the Toff is the nickname of the Honourable Richard Rollison, an upper-class crime sleuth. Creasey published almost 60 Toff adventures, beginning with Introducing the Toff in 1938 and continuing through The Toff and the Crooked Copper, published in...
". This film and another Toff adaptation Hammer the Toff
Hammer the Toff
Hammer the Toff is a 1952 British crime film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring John Bentley and Patricia Dainton. The film was based on the 1947 novel of the same name by John Creasey, the 17th in the series featuring upper-class sleuth Richard Rollison, also known as "The Toff"...
were shot back-to-back at Nettlefold Studios
Nettlefold Studios
Nettlefold Studios were located in what is now Hepworth Way, Walton-on-Thames. Cecil Hepworth began film making there in 1899, but the name derives from the subsequent owner, Archibald Nettlefold, who rebuilt the studios on the original site. During the late fifties the studio changed its name to...
in the summer of 1951. They were released to cinemas in January and May 1952 respectively.
Neither film is known to survive and both are classed as "missing, believed lost
Lost film
A lost film is a feature film or short film that is no longer known to exist in studio archives, private collections or public archives such as the Library of Congress, where at least one copy of all American films are deposited and catalogued for copyright reasons...
", although there is a degree of hope that they may be lurking as yet uncatalogued in British TV archives. Both films are included on the British Film Institute
British Film Institute
The British Film Institute is a charitable organisation established by Royal Charter to:-Cinemas:The BFI runs the BFI Southbank and IMAX theatre, both located on the south bank of the River Thames in London...
's "75 Most Wanted
BFI 75 Most Wanted
The BFI 75 Most Wanted is a list compiled by the British Film Institute of their most sought-after British feature films not currently held in the BFI National Archive, and classified as "missing, believed lost". The films chosen range from quota quickies and B-movies to lavish prestige...
" list of missing British feature films.
Plot
The Honourable Richard Rollison (Bentley) is a well-known private detective who has friends and contacts in all echelons of society from the wealthy West End set to the lowest East End hovels. He likes to take on cases on behalf of underdogs, and is feared by the criminal underworld for his fearsome reputation of always getting his man.Pretty young secretary Fay Gretton (Marsh) comes to Rollison, worried that her employer has not shown up for work for several days and cannot be contacted. Rollison breaks into the man's flat and finds a body – not that of Fay's missing boss, but the son of a millionaire businessman. The missing man is the prime suspect, and it is up to Rollison to get to the bottom of the case, aided by his East End contacts. After a series of dramatic events, including Fay being abducted and tied up, the truth is finally revealed, the missing man is found, and Rollison proves beyond question that he is innocent of any wrongdoing.
Reception
Salute the Toff appears to have received a favourable reception from reviewers. Kine WeeklyKine Weekly
The Kinematograph Weekly, popularly known as Kine Weekly, was a trade newspaper catering to the British film industry. It was published in Britain between 1889 and 1971.-Publication history:...
described it as "a sturdy, comprehensive yarn", while the Daily Film Renter called it "a deep and varied plot of robbery and murder, calculated to keep audience attention alert, a popular winner in the mystery and murder category". Today's Cinema enjoyed the film, but pointed out that sophisticated fare was not on the menu by classing it as a "bustling crime and detection action of the brand beloved by the masses".
Cast
- John BentleyJohn Bentley (actor)John Bentley was a British film actor who emerged in the 1970s as Hugh Mortimer, Meg Richardson's ill-fated new husband in the soap opera Crossroads. He also starred in the jungle adventure series African Patrol as Chief Inspector Paul Derek and made various other guest appearances...
as Richard Rollison - Carol MarshCarol MarshCarol Marsh , born Norma Simpson, was an English film actress known for winning the part of Rose in the film Brighton Rock after thousands auditioned for the part....
as Fay Gretton - Valentine DyallValentine DyallValentine Dyall was an English character actor, the son of veteran actor Franklin Dyall. Dyall was especially popular as a voice actor, due to his very distinctive sepulchral voice, he was known for many years as "The Man in Black", narrator of the BBC Radio horror series Appointment With Fear.In...
as Inspector Grice - Shelagh FraserShelagh FraserShelagh Fraser was a British actress.She was best-known for her role as Luke Skywalker's ill-fated aunt, Beru Lars in Star Wars...
as Myra Lorne - June Elvin as Lady Anthea
- Arthur HillArthur Hill (actor)Arthur Edward Spence Hill was a Canadian actor best known for appearances in British and American theater, movies and television...
as Ted Harrison - Michael GoldenMichael Golden (actor)-Selected filmography:* Send for Paul Temple * Hungry Hill * Pool of London * Salute the Toff * The Gentle Gunman * The Square Ring * Murder by Proxy * The Green Scarf...
as Benny Kless
- Roddy HughesRoddy HughesRoddy Hughes was a British film and television actor. He appeared in over 80 films between 1932 and 1961.-Selected filmography:* Say It With Flowers * Poison Pen * Saloon Bar...
as Jolly - Wally PatchWally PatchWally Patch was a British character actor, who had supporting roles in many films. He was born Walter Sidney Vinnicombe in Willesden, London on 26 September 1888...
as Bert Ebbutt - Vi Stevens as Emily Ebbutt
- Tony BrittonTony BrittonAnthony Edward Lowry "Tony" Britton is an English actor. He is the father of presenter Fern Britton, scriptwriter Cherry Britton and actor Jasper Britton.-Life and career:...
as Draycott - John Forbes-RobertsonJohn Forbes-Robertson (actor)John Forbes-Robertson was a British actor best-known for being the only actor other than Christopher Lee to play the title role in the Hammer horror series of Dracula films....
as Gerald Harvey - Peter BullPeter BullPeter Cecil Bull, DSC was a British character actor.- Biography :He was the fourth and youngest son of Hammersmith MP Sir William James Bull, 1st Bt..Bull was educated at Winchester College...
as Lorne