Michael McCarthy (director)
Network On Air (studio)
PG (certificate)
64min. (length)
23 February 2015 (released)
04 March 2015
This taut British B-movie thriller from 1951 stars Sydney Tafler as Antonio Riccarci, a rare stamp dealer who is secretly a contract killer for hire. When he accepts another job to enable he gifted musician brother a high-profile concert, things do not turn out as planned.
Antonio Riccardi (S. Tafler), a man of Italian origin, seems to lead a happy life with wife Maria (Katharine Blake). Whilst those around him believe him to be a rare stamp dealer, Antonio is in fact an assassin for hire. The money he receives for his dirty work is mainly used to pay for his younger brother Giuseppe’s violin lesson. Being a highly gifted musician, Antonio wishes a better and brighter future for his brother. Giuseppe (John Hewer) is not as thankful and as pleased as one would assume. In fact, he is sick of feeling obliged towards his brother for providing him with money for the lessons. A domestic argument breaks out when Antonio lets on that he has arranged for Giuseppe’s concert debut in a prestigious venue and Giuseppe replies that he doesn’t feel ‘ready’ yet for such an important event.
Adamant that his younger brother will succeed and become an overnight sensation, Antonio is not someone to take ‘no’ for an answer. Meanwhile, Detective Inspector Carson (Ronald Howard) has long had Antonio under suspicion of being a hitman, but had never got the evidence to prove anything. When he gets wind of Antonio’s next assignment, he comes up with a plan that will finally ensnare Antonio.
Meanwhile, Giuseppe arranges to attend a party in the place of his sweetheart Helen (June Rodney), something that provokes a further argument between the two brothers. While Antonia is on his way to carry out the next ‘job’, Giuseppe gets ready to leave for the party. As a special surprise, Maria has made him a fancy brown camelhair coat to wear for the occasion. Little does she know her well-meant gift will unfold a tragedy…
Although not on a grand scale (and it is only 64 minutes long!), Assassin For Hire is a gripping enough little film noir that is perfectly entertaining for fans of the genre.
As Special Features we only get the Original Press Release in PDF, and Instant play facility.
