The Saint in London

The Saint in London

Company type	Film
Industry	Motion picture
Founded	1939
Founder	RKO Pictures
Headquarters	London , United Kingdom
Products	Crime motion picture
Parent	RKO Pictures

The Saint in London is a 1939 British crime motion picture and represents the third installment in RKO's eight-film series centered on Simon Templar, also known as "The Saint". The film stars George Sanders portraying Templar, with production led by William Sistrom and direction by John Paddy Carstairs. The screenplay, crafted by Lynn Root and Frank Fenton, adapts Leslie Charteris' 1932 short story "The Million Pound Day" from the collection The Holy Terror (released in the U.S. as The Saint vs. Scotland Yard).

Plot

Simon Templar enlists the help of Dugan, a former pickpocket who has reformed, and is then approached by Sir Richard Blake from British Intelligence to investigate Bruno Lang, suspected of espionage. After encountering Penny Parker, an intrepid young woman fascinated by Templar, they collaborate to steal incriminating documents from Lang’s safe.

During their flight to London, they come across Count Duni, a French diplomat coerced into approving the clandestine printing of over a million pounds for Lang and his associates. Meanwhile, Inspector Teal of Scotland Yard keeps a vigilant eye on Templar. When Penny is taken hostage by conspirator Kussella, Templar mounts a rescue but discovers Count Duni murdered and finds himself falsely accused. Recognizing the deception, Teal permits Templar to continue his inquiry.

Following clues leading to Lang’s residence, Templar confronts embassy official Stengler. Amid a tense confrontation endangering Penny and Dugan, Templar manages to disarm Lang and secure their safety; Kussella is accidentally killed by one of his own men. At Scotland Yard, both Lang and Stengler face arrest for espionage and murder. Sir Richard Blake exonerates Templar, who then parts ways with Penny before any romantic involvement can develop.

Cast

• George Sanders as Simon Templar / The Saint
• Sally Gray as Penny Parker
• David Burns as Dugan
• Gordon McLeod as Inspector Claud Teal
• Henry Oscar as Bruno Lang
• Athene Seyler as Mrs. Buckley
• John Abbott as Count Stephen Duni
• Ralph Truman as Kussella
• Charles Carson as Mr. Morgan
• Carl Jaffe as Stengler
• Norah Howard as Mrs. Morgan
• Ballard Berkeley as Sir Richard Blake
• Charles Paton as Tobacco Shop Proprietor

Production

Filming took place in London using an American-written script. Principal photography commenced in March 1939 with Sanders’ arrival, and the movie was completed in time for its June release.

Reception

Critics responded positively to both George Sanders’ performance and The Saint in London. Roscoe Williams of Motion Picture Daily praised it as "the finest among films featuring the detective masquerading as a criminal," commending John Paddy Carstairs’ direction alongside Sanders’ portrayal. William R. Weaver from Motion Picture Herald regarded it as "the most compelling detective melodrama recently," highlighting the lead’s "masterful" performance. Showmen's Trade Review remarked that the film raised the bar for this popular mystery franchise, emphasizing Sanders’ commanding role complemented by David Burns’ comedic contribution.

From a financial perspective, the film generated a profit of $140,000. According to Saint scholar Burl Barer, Charteris himself considered this installment the best within RKO’s series and dedicated his book The Saint in the Sun to Carstairs—who uniquely directed both RKO's Saint films and episodes of the 1960s The Saint.

References

• Burl Barer, The Saint: An Exhaustive Chronicle in Print, Radio, Film, and Television 1928–1992. Jefferson, N.C.: MacFarland, 2003 (initially released in 1992).