[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Turn the Key Softly (1953)

Three women of differing backgrounds are released from Holloway prison on the same day. The film follows them over the next 24 hours.

An enjoyable British film noir / crime melodrama in which the three women go back to their lives but meet up again the following evening for a meal at a swanky London restaurant. The film stars Yvonne Mitchell as the wealthy Monica, serving 12 months to keep her scoundrel boy friend out of jail, Joan Collins as the jewel loving girl of easy virtue and Kathleen Harrison as Quillam, an East End thief old enough to know better.

Of the three, Harrison has the most emotional journey together with her lovable dog Johnny. I actually did get a little misty eyed at one point. Collins plays the most superficial of the three and her story is a little flat yet also oddly surprising when you think it the least likely, and Mitchell and her smooth talking, yet treacherous boyfriend the most thrilling.

Following the melodrama during the opening half, the film ends in tragedy, triumph and an exciting roof top heist.

Director Jack lee brings to life the austerity of post war London with startling crisp black and white photography which added to the convincing acting of the three leads makes Turn the Key Softly a film i certainly recommend.

The dvd from Strawberry Media has a good remaster with clear sound and all in all looks rather pretty