The Great Van Robbery

The Great Van Robbery is a 1959 black-and-white British crime film starring Denis Shaw and Kay Callard, directed by Max Varnel.^[1] It was written by Brian Clemens and Eldon Howard and produced by The Danzigers.

The Great Van Robbery
Directed by	Max Varnel
Written by	Brian Clemens Eldon Howard
Produced by	Edward J. Danziger Harry Lee Danziger
Starring	Denis Shaw Kay Callard
Cinematography	James Wilson (as Jimmy Wilson)
Edited by	Maurice Rootes
Music by	Albert Elms (uncredited)
Production company	Danziger Productions
Distributed by	United Artists (US)
Release dates	January 1959 (1959-01) (UK) 1963 (1963) (US)
Running time	71 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

Plot

Scotland Yard teams up with Interpol to discover the origins of stolen money in a private bank account in Rio de Janeiro. Assigning their best detective Caesar Smith to the case, the money is soon traced to a robbery from a Royal Mint van. Investigations lead to a coffee storehouse where a worker is found murdered and the remaining loot discovered.

Cast

• Denis Shaw as Caesar Smith
• Kay Callard as Ella
• Tony Quinn as Mercer
• Philip Saville as Cartier
• Vera Fusek as Mara
• Tony Doonan as Wally
• Bob Simmons as Peters
• Geoffrey Hibbert as Venner
• Gordon Sterne as Robledo
• Carl Duering as Delgano
• Guido Lorraine as Leprave
• June Rodney as Julie
• Hal Osmond as Freddie
• Brian Weske as Francey
• Carl Conway as Bart
• Michael Bell as Garfield
• Jacques Cey as Workman
• Julian Orchard as Brady
• Robert Raglan as Surgeon
• Peter Allenby as Bank Manager
• Paul Stassino as Toni

Production

The film's camera operator was future director Nicolas Roeg (credited as Nick Roeg).^[2]

Reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Though basically routine in plot and substance, this lively crime thriller has the particular advantage of a freshly observed hero in Caesar Smith, convincingly played by Denis Shaw as a heavily built but agile Scotland Yard man with a dexterous line in judo."^[3]

Boxoffice said: "Denis Shaw is the hero, ever resolute and resourceful – and upon his fast-stepping form the film's dramatic intensity rests. The audience for which it's designed will be happy."^[4]

In British Sound Films David Quinlan says: "Routine crooks' tour with an unusual hero."^[5]

Franz Antony Clinton writes in British Thrillers, 1950–1979: "In one of the better Danzinger brothers B movies, The Great Van Robbery features a bright script and efficient direction that keeps things moving at a brisk pace."^[6]

In The British 'B' Film Chibnall & McFarlane write: "Nicolas Roeg's camerwork brought some distinction to The Great Van Robbery."^[7]