| There is No Escape | |
| Director: | Alfred J. Goulding |
| Producer: | Henry Halsted |
| Starring: | Stanley Thurston (as "Charles Stuart") |
| Music: | John Bath |
| Cinematography: | Stanley Clinton |
| Studio: | Hammer Films Marylebone Production |
| Distributor: | Exclusive Films (UK) Screen Guild Productions (US) |
| Runtime: | 72 minutes |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Language: | English |
| Budget: | £20,000 |
There is No Escape, also known as The Dark Road and The Thurston Story, is a 1948 British drama film from Hammer Films.
It was Michael Ripper's first appearance in a Hammer Film.[1]
The film was based on the career of criminal Stanley Thurston, who appeared in the cast as a character based on himself. Thurston was famous for his numerous escapes from prison, 5 times in 15 years.[2] He was released from prison in October 1946.[3] [4]
The film had trouble with the British censors who thought the film glamorised a real life criminal. Thurston had to be billed as "Charles Stuart."[5] [6]
James Carreras said, "The picture already has official police approval. Ihave done everything to show that crime is a mug's game. Thurston is the only non-professional actor in the film. All he asked was £10 a week to cover expenses. At the end of the film he turns to the audience and tells them that a criminal life just isn't worth the candle, especially when guns are brought into crime. He made such a good job of the picture that I had him listed for a racing story on his merits as an actor. That plan will now have to be shelved."[7]
The film was shot at Marylebone Studios.[8]