Interpol (film)

Warwick Films

Industry	Film production
Founder	Irving Allen, Albert R. Broccoli
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Products	Films

Interpol (known in the USA as Pickup Alley; alternatively titled International Police) is a 1957 British-American CinemaScope crime film noir directed by John Gilling, featuring performances by Victor Mature, Anita Ekberg, and Trevor Howard. The screenplay, penned by John Paxton, adapts the 1955 non-fiction work Interpol authored by A.J. Forrest. Produced under the banner of Warwick Films by Irving Allen and Albert R. Broccoli, the narrative centers on an Interpol mission aimed at dismantling a prominent global narcotics trafficking organization.

In the American market, this film was paired as a double feature with The Brothers Rico (1957).

Plot

FBI agent Charles Sturgis embarks on a mission to dismantle a drug-smuggling network masterminded by Frank McNally, who is responsible for the murder of Sturgis's sister. His pursuit leads him across Europe, where he tracks down McNally’s companion, Gina Broger. Following his capture and subsequent rescue by an Interpol official, Sturgis continues his chase to New York City, culminating in McNally’s death after falling from a dock crane.

Cast

• Victor Mature portraying Charles Sturgis
• Anita Ekberg as Gina Broger
• Trevor Howard in the role of Frank McNally
• Bonar Colleano as Amalio
• Dorothy Alison playing Helen
• André Morell as Commissioner Breckner
• Martin Benson as Captain Varolli
• Eric Pohlmann portraying Etienne Fayala
• Peter Illing as Captain Baris
• Sydney Tafler in the role of Curtis
• Lionel Murton as Murphy
• Danny Green as second bartender
• Alec Mango playing Salko
• Sidney James as Joe, first bartender
• Marne Maitland portraying Guido Martinelli
• Harold Kasket as Kalish
• Alfred Burke in the role of Vincent Cashling
• Brian Wilde as the monk
• Betty McDowall playing a drug addict

Production

Michael Wilding was originally slated to portray the character ultimately played by Trevor Howard.

The plot was inspired by records from the International Criminal Police Commission. Principal photography commenced on 15 August 1956, spanning major international cities such as New York, Paris, Rome, Genoa, Madrid, London, and Athens. Studio work took place at The Shepperton Studios in London.

Critical reception

According to The Monthly Film Bulletin, despite its extensive on-location filming and a complex sub-Wellesian storyline, the movie succumbed to conventional typecasting and mishandled its climactic scenes, deriving most energy from sound effects; Trevor Howard’s portrayal was described as weary.

British film critic Leslie Halliwell labeled it "tediously conventional," though noting that one strong performance provided some vitality; he also remarked that the widescreen format did little to enhance the film.

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959, critic David Quinlan assigned an "average" rating, observing that Howard’s presence dominated an otherwise uneven thriller.

The Radio Times Guide to Films gave it a score of 1 out of 5 stars, criticizing it as a weak thriller focused on an international police pursuit of a drug syndicate. Although shot in numerous major cities including London, Paris, Athens, Naples, Rome, Lisbon, and New York, the screenplay appeared underdeveloped. Trevor Howard embraced his villainous role effectively, while co-stars Victor Mature and Anita Ekberg seemed less engaged.

Novelization

Prior to the movie's debut, Avon Books released a novelization in the United States titled Pickup Alley. This adaptation was authored by experienced thriller writer Edward S. Aarons, who used the pseudonym “Edward Ronns.” It represented his initial venture into tie-in novels and established a framework for his future adaptations.

See also

• List of British films of 1957