Suspense is a 1930 British war film directed by Walter Summers and starring Mickey Brantford, Cyril McLaglen and Jack Raine. It was written by Summers, adapted from the 1930 play of the same title by Patrick MacGill.
Contents
Premise
During the First World War a British unit take up a new position in a trench unaware that the Germans are laying a mine underneath it.
Cast
Mickey Brantford as Private Pettigrew
Cyril McLaglen as Cyril McClusky
Jack Raine as Captain Wilson
Hay Petrie as Scruffy
Fred Groves as Private Lomax
Percy Parsons as Private Brett
Syd Crossley as Corporal Brown
Hamilton Keene as Officer
Production
The film's sets were designed by John Mead. The battle effects were created under the supervision of Cliff Richardson at Elstree Studios which was owned by British International Pictures. Richardson recalled: "I was put in charge of battle effects, which were on a fairly large scale. ... Even today I shudder to think of the chances that were taken in making up flash powder."
Reception
Kine Weekly wrote: The realism is intense, with very sound character drawing and most convincing war settings. Both camera work and acting are on a high level. ... Walter Summers has dealt extremely well with his grim subject. With the exception of All Quiet on the Western Front,'the war atmosphere has not been bettered. ... Direction is particularly good, and Summers has made use of his camera to great advantage."
The Daily Film Renter wrote: "The best performance is contributed by D. Hay Petrie, who, as the sock-knitting optimist, does what he invariably dows on the stage – strolls away with the major portion of the plaudits. The dialogue itself is coarser than anything yet heard in a British talkie, but the tone is clear. The camera work is notable, especially in the night scenes."