Review: Cash on Demand

Set two days before Christmas at a small local English bank managed by the fastidious Fordyce (Peter Cushing), who runs a tight ship with little room for warmth or Christmas cheer. As we meet him Fordyce is chewing out the chief clerk (Richard Vernon) over his supposed bookkeeping errors that the man has nonetheless fixed later. In the midst of all this a rather charming man named Col. Gore Hepburn (Andre Morell), a supposed insurance investigator arrives at the bank to check their security. However, he’s not really an insurance investigator, and Fordyce’s stress levels are about to go through the roof before the jolly fat man comes down the chimney on Christmas Eve.

 

One of the very finest films from Hammer Studios, this 1961 heist-thriller from director Quentin Lawrence (a veteran of British TV) is little-known but absolutely worthwhile. Based on a play by Jacques Gillies (a Kiwi-born writer of mostly British TV) and scripted by David T. Chantler (Hammer’s adaptation of “She”) and Lewis Greifer (“Up Jumped a Swagman”), it’s really good and tight as hell. I have found my new favourite unofficial Christmas movie here folks, and after seeing it for the first time earlier in the year I re-watched it this morning alongside “First Blood” (there’s Christmas decorations all through that one!). Peter Cushing’s character here is essentially Mr. Scrooge, and Andre Morell’s bank robber plays the part of the three ghosts.

 

It’s a very British way of doing a heist film, starting off by involving us in the day-to-day running of the bank and its various personnel. Peter Cushing is excellent as the humourless, fastidious bank manager whom no one else likes all that much (audience included). Under the circumstances imposed upon him you end up feeling sorry for the guy, despite Cushing not really making any attempt to soften the character. His fear and panic are wonderfully realised by the veteran character actor, and all of the different emotions he conveys seem consistent with the character. It might be one of his best-ever performances. Richard Vernon is terrific in support too, and apparently was never young even in 1961. Some people are just born middle-aged I guess. The real revelation for me however is Andre Morell as the intended bank robber in a grim-faced, scene-stealing turn. He’s actually quite chilling in the part, with his gentlemanly façade dropping quite early to reveal an absolute ruthlessness. It might just be the best performance I’ve ever seen from him. He’s a good actor, but I honestly didn’t think he had a turn like this in him.

 

Despite being all talk, the film has an immediacy to it, taking place over a very short period of time. If there’s any flaw at all it’s that the morality of the time dictates a less bold ending than it potentially could have in a more permissive era. Even then, I’m not sure if that even counts as a flaw. For what might’ve been a back-half of a double bill, this tense, well-acted heist film is better than a lot of Hammer’s ‘A’ pictures. Andre Morell is especially outstanding. Must-see, this is Top 5 Hammer for me.

 

Rating: B+