Charles Crichton directed Ealing classics such as The Titfield Thunderbolt, The Lavender Hill Mob as well as his earlier "Hue and Cry". These latter two have similarities to TBWSAM in having an extended chase sequence.
However Crichton forsakes his customary very English locations for Spain. The film consists, with a brief preamble scene setting, of an hour long chase filmed in out and through the streets of Valencia as the young thief evades his pursuers. It must be the longest and one of the most inventive and superbly directed chase scenes in film history.
The chase involves the young "thief", his dog, crowds, cars, bicycles, groups on foot, animals, trams; apparently covering much of Valencia. It is a masterful handling of all these very different independent elements involved in the chase, the flow appearing seamlessly but of course infinitely choreographed by Crichton in an eclectic range of city locations. I am not sure that this combination of splendid cinematography, choice of location, direction and editing has been equalled.
A great performance from the lead, the young boy, Pasco, and (again a seamless) ensemble of British and Spanish cast. It is however rather let down by the writing, it is rather pedestrian and the resolution at the end disappointing.
Why it is never seen is a mystery. However at least it is being screened by Talking Pictures in the UK who seem to have a unique talent for picking out the gems that others have entirely missed. Why it received no awards is another mystery - perhaps connected with the first. The film so closely resembles one of those Continent classics of the era by one of the directorial Masters.
Is it that only the Continentals are acceptable doing The Continental - by the British as much as by anyone else?
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