The Small Back Room saw the duo reunite with Alex Korda following disagreements with the Rank Organisation over the prospects of The Red Shoes (1948). World War II continued to provide productions under the banner of The Archers with backdrops for their films even as the glowing patriotism of their wartime films faded. Here, former bomb disposal expert Sammy Rice (David Farrar), bitter and disillusioned to the point of alcoholism after being permanently disabled, is enlisted to help investigate Nazi booby traps dropped on England. Michael Gough and Cyril Cusack offer able support in a film obviously influenced by German Expressionism that stands as a fine example of British noir.

Screening as part our Powell & Pressburger season, December 2nd – 20th.

Notes by Kevin Coyne