Cash on Demand
Cash on Demand

Movie spotlight

Cash on Demand

1961
Movie
80 min
English

A charming but ruthless criminal holds the family of a bank manager hostage as part of a cold-blooded plan to steal £90,000.

Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Director: Quentin LawrenceGenres: Crime, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

A cold and efficient bank manager, Harry Freeman, is targeted by a charming but ruthless killer who blackmails him into helping rob his own bank. The killer, impersonating a debt collector, claims to have kidnapped Freeman's son, forcing the manager to follow a precise set of instructions to secure the money without raising suspicion. The film follows Freeman's increasingly desperate attempts to outwit his tormentor and protect his family.

Critical Reception

Cash on Demand is a taut and suspenseful thriller that capitalizes on its claustrophobic setting and Peter Cushing's compelling performance. While not a mainstream blockbuster, it garnered praise for its intelligent script, effective pacing, and chilling portrayal of psychological manipulation. It is considered a strong entry in the thriller genre of the early 1960s.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its suspenseful atmosphere and tight plotting.

  • Peter Cushing's performance as the tormented bank manager is a highlight.

  • Effectively builds tension through psychological manipulation and a ticking clock.

Google audience: Audience reception on Google is not widely available for this classic thriller, but it is generally appreciated by fans of the genre for its clever premise and effective execution.

Fun Fact

The film was shot at Shepperton Studios in England, with a relatively modest budget, demonstrating how effective storytelling and strong performances can create a captivating thriller.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

If anyone was ever to wonder upon whom Arthur Lowe might have based his "Capt. Mainwaring" from "Dad's Army" character on, then they might look at Peter Cushing here in this superior heist thriller. He is the fastidious, frankly rather obno...

John Chard

John Chard

Cash on Delivery? Pah! This is Cash on Demand! Out of Hammer Film Productions, Cash on Demand is directed by Quentin Lawrence and adapted to screenplay by David Chantler & Lewis Greifer from a play by Jacques Gillies. It stars Peter Cus...