| Deadly Nightshade | |
| Director: | John Gilling |
| Producer: | Robert S. Baker Monty Berman |
| Screenplay: | Lawrence Huntington |
| Starring: | Emrys Jones Zena Marshall John Horsely |
| Music: | John Lanchbery |
| Cinematography: | Monty Berman |
| Editing: | Sidney Hayers |
| Studio: | Kenilworth Film Productions |
| Runtime: | 61 minutes |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Language: | English |
Deadly Nightshade is a 1953 British second feature ('B')[1] crime drama film directed by John Gilling and starring Emrys Jones, Zena Marshall and John Horsely.[2] [3] [4] The screenplay was by Lawrence Huntington. A convict on the run switches identities with a lookalike, only to find himself in even deeper trouble.
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "The various red herrings which keep on cropping up in this film are nobody's business, but it is all quite jolly and thrilling in its standard British second feature way."[5]
Kine Weekly wrote: "The picture contains more talk than action, and the comedy relief is a bit heavy-handed, but competent performances by Emrys Jones, Zena Marshall and John Horsely prevent the interest from flagging."[6]
TV Guide thought the idea was "done much better in Antonioni's The Passenger (1975)," but found the film, "still occasionally entertaining."[7]
The Radio Times wrote, "In spite of its penury, this typical 1950s British crime quickie...is curiously engaging...Although director John Gilling throws in a few Cornish coastal views, he's mostly confined to unconvincing sets, though the cheapskate look only adds to the charm."[8]
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "average", writing: "Conventional 'B' picture with plenty of incident."[9]