Movie spotlight
A gang of street boys foil a master crook who sends commands for robberies by cunningly altering a comic strip's wording each week, unknown to writer and printer. The first of the Ealing comedies.
A lonely schoolboy's secret writing of rhyming slang detective stories accidentally embroils him and his schoolmates in a real-life gangland plot. When a coded message from a dying traitor is found by the boy, the children are drawn into a dangerous investigation. They must outwit a ruthless criminal organization and expose their operation before they become victims themselves.
Hue and Cry was a critical success, lauded for its clever script, fast-paced action, and witty dialogue. It is often considered a pioneering example of the Ealing comedies and a standout in the British crime film genre of its era. Both critics and audiences appreciated its unique blend of youthful adventure and dark undertones.
Praised for its inventive and humorous screenplay.
Commended for its exciting and unpredictable plot.
Recognized for its charming performances and unique tone.
Google audience: Audience reception on Google is not widely available for this older film, but critical reviews highlight its engaging narrative and comedic elements.
This film marked the feature film directorial debut of Charles Crichton, who would go on to direct other Ealing classics like 'The Lavender Hill Mob' and 'The Titfield Thunderbolt'.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources
This is one of the lesser known Ealing comedies and it has something of the Children's Film Foundation output to it too, as the youngsters cotton on to a dastardly plan to use the narrative bubbles in a children's comic to convey messages t...