4K Ultra HD Review – Whispering Smith Comes to London (1952)

      Whispering Smith Hits London, 1952.

      Directed by Francis Searle.

      Featuring Richard Carlson, Greta Gynt, Herbert Lom, Rona Anderson, Alan Wheatley, Dora Bryan.

      SYNOPSIS:

      While on vacation in London, an American private detective gets entangled in a murder mystery where the situation is more complicated than it appears. This month, Hammer has uncovered another hidden gem from its archives, presenting Whispering Smith Hits London (also known as Whispering Smith vs. Scotland Yard in the US) in a luxurious 4K UHD format, a trend the company has been following for the past year.

      So, who exactly is Whispering Smith? In this version, he is a private investigator enjoying a well-deserved break in London. Why mention "this version"? Because the character originates from a 1948 western film entitled Whispering Smith, which is based on a novel by Frank H. Spearman featuring a railroad detective who subdues a gang of train robbers. Here, Smith (played by Richard Carlson) is a detective in the contemporary setting who gets drawn into the investigation of a young woman's suicide named Sylvia Garde, as her father suspects foul play. He sends his secretary, Anne (Rona Anderson), to find Smith and hire him, leading to a convoluted tale of deceit and extortion.

      A significant drawback of Whispering Smith Hits London is when Smith arrives in the UK; the local media, present at the airport to capture a famous actress, already recognize him, treating him as if he were a globally known folk hero. While this would be acceptable if the film offered any background about his character, his nickname, or his notoriety amongst reporters, it falls short. Although Smith (referred to as Steve by his mother) is charming and quick-witted, he fails to demonstrate any qualities that would justify his seemingly widespread fame; he doesn’t even whisper, making the origin of his nickname as enigmatic as Sylvia Garde's death.

      Despite this main character's writing flaw, Whispering Smith Hits London remains an engaging crime tale that, while not groundbreaking, provides an entertaining journey to its somewhat predictable conclusion. Richard Carlson may not be on par with iconic film noir detectives like Humphrey Bogart or Robert Mitchum, but he is sufficiently likable, sharing sizzling chemistry with leading ladies Rona Anderson and Greta Gynt. While a modern interpretation might have emphasized their relationship more sexually, in this film, it brings a subtle vibrancy without being explicit. Legendary actor Herbert Lom features in a suitably intimidating supporting role, and the film includes many familiar faces from that era. For a low-budget British thriller, it manages to keep the audience engaged throughout, even without venturing beyond the established genre norms.

      However, since this is Hammer, there’s more than just the film itself to enjoy. The 4K UHD and Blu-ray release includes both the UK and US versions, the latter being seven minutes shorter. Fortunately, film experts Vic Pratt and William Fowler discuss the distinctions between the two cuts and the importance of pacing and editing for different markets in the special features. They also join Barry Forshaw and Lucy Bolton in a segment exploring Herbert Lom's career, alongside an appreciation piece by filmmaker Chris Alexander, an archive interview with editor Alfie Cox from 1992, and a booklet featuring essays from various scholars on the film, the femme fatale genre, Hammer's crime films, and Richard Carlson's career.

      In summary, Whispering Smith Hits London is a well-crafted British noir thriller that struggles somewhat with a title that doesn’t fully reflect its character’s personality. Compared to characters like Columbo or Inspector Morse, Smith appears more like an average guy who is simply fortunate with women. Nonetheless, it remains an impressive release that continues Hammer's revitalization of lesser-known films. If they are committed to preserving these works in a way that delights physical-media collectors, who are we to challenge that? May it persist.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

      Chris Ward