POLICE DOG

UK, 1955, 70 minutes, Black-and-white.
Joan Rice, Tim Turner, Sandra Dorne, Charles Victor, Norah Gordon, Cecil Brock, John Le Mesurier, Christopher Lee.
Directed by Derek N.Twist.

Crime drama from London in the mid-1950s – although the title, were at American, would seem to indicate a pleasing crime comedy along the lines of K 9. However, with the London police, not armed, running the danger of injury or death, the police dogs were at least some kind of safeguard. There are detailed sequences of the training of the dogs.

The plot is straightforward, a police chase, one of the police shot, his friend wanting revenge – and then taking on the training with the police dog. Ultimately, of course, the dog will save his master and the day. There is a very suburban romance subplot, the policeman boarding with a mother and daughter, in love with the daughter, her being upset about the demands of the police on his time and attention, especially his attention to Rex.

Interesting to note in the supporting cast the genial Charles Victor, John the measure as an official and, of all people portraying Johnny, a tall policeman who is afraid of dogs, is rescued by Rex, but apprehensive is Christopher Lee, only two years before the beginning of his career at Hammer Studios.


1. A small police drama of the mid-1950s? The London setting? In the city and suburbs?

2. The two police on duty, quiet, the light in the building, the pursuit of the criminal, the long run, the criminal court, shooting, Frank Mason and his handling of the situation, his friend wounded, the report to the officials, in hospital, dying, his wanting revenge?

3. Frank and his friendship with Pat, with her mother? Pat in her hairdressing, the possibility of marriage, the demands of time on the police?

4. The interview with the officials, the question of the police dog, Frank accepting, finding Rex, the details of training? At home, Pat petting and feeding the dog, Frank’s reaction? The kennel, the food supply from the government?

5. The police at the station, Johnny and his aversion to dogs, challenging Frank, Frank winning? The later encounters with Frank, the thugs sitting on him, Rex saving him? At the end? The confrontation with the criminal? And the irony of Christopher Lee playing this role?

6. The criminal, his girlfriend, getting a job, the plainclothes police, his leaving, the plan for a further robbery, returning to the scene of the crime?

7. The presentation of the officials, genial, supportive of Frank?

8. The news of the new robbery attempt, the police gathering, Frank and Rex, the pursuit, the criminal with the gun and the confrontation, the policeman wounded, Rex and his attack and saving Frank?

9. Pat, her being upset, going to the scene of the crime, the reconciliation?