Limping Man (1953)
Director – Cy Endfield
The Plot
WW II American G.I. Frank Piror (Lloyd Bridges) returns to London to seek out his wartime sweetie. He steps off the plane at Heathrow and the person along side him is shot and killed by an unseen sniper. He discovers that the object of his romantic affections was involved with the victim. The mystery twists and turns from there.
Film Notes
Finding Refuge in Britain
Blacklisted for a time in the early 1950s due to his political symthpathies, Lloyd Brigdes, like an number of American actors, directors and writers, sought work in Europe. He found a role in The Limping Man, a low cost British production that modestly travels a Hitchcockian road.
Look for some vintage British scenes in the Spread Eagle pub, music hall theatrics, and a TV party. With location black and white London scenery, some bizarre show numbers, and its thriller in a minor key tone, this little film is worth the attention its brief running time demands.
Another Victim Finds Work
Director Cy Endfield was another victim of the blacklist. He began his career directing Our Gang comedies and moved on to low budget features. Yale and New School educated, the Red Scare paranoia forced him to relocate to Great Britain where h,e for a time, worked under a pseudonym. He is credited as Charles de Lautaur in The Limping Man. Later in his career he directed such quality big budget films as Mysterious Island, Zulu and Sands of the Kalahari.
Alternate Ending
The Limping Man is infamous for a twist of an ending that made viewers feel their time had been stolen from them. Alameda TV's Professor Edison J. Nello has used his Cinematic Archeological and Film Reforestation knowledge and skills to insert a never before seen, but highly preferable alternate ending.
And I Quote...
"We've been separated so long we're almost on speaking terms again."
"We did dangerous and exciting things together."
Sea Hunting for Trivia
- Lloyd Bridges greatest success came in the late 50s TV hit - Sea Hunt. Number 2 and 3 on his hit parade are his sons - Jeff and Beau Bridges.
- Playing the barmaid, Rachel Roberts, in one of her earliest film roles, was nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award for This Sporting Life (1963). She also appeared in another superb Lindsay Anderson film - Oh Lucky Man (1973), which is still awaiting a DVD release.
- Jean Marsh, famous in her role as maid in Masterpiece Theater's Upstairs, Downstairs, plays the landlady's sexy daughter.
- The Limping Man was distributed in America by Alameda film legend Robert L. Lippert.
-- Ed Schneider
Cast & Production Credits
| Lloyd Bridges | Frank Prior |
| Moira Lister | Pauline French |
| Alan Wheatley | Inspector Braddock |
| Leslie Phillips | Detective Cameron |
| Hélène Cordet | Helene Castle |
| Bruce Beeby | Kendal Brown |
| Rachel Roberts | Barmaid |
| Produced by Banner Films Ltd. | |
| Donald Ginsberg | Producer |
| Cy Endfield | Director |
| Ian Stuart Black, Reginald Long, Anthony Verney |
Screenwriters |
| Jonah Jones | Cinematographer |
| Cyril Ornadel, Arthur Wilkinson |
Original Music |
| Stan Willis | Editor |
| Cedric Dawe | Art Director |
