Tread Softly Stranger

Tread Softly Stranger

This is a cool British film I stumbled across at a memorabilia show. Adapted from a stage play, the story rolls along at a nice pace, presents us with some interesting characters and a fascinating location in a "steel town" some place north of London, England. It's got top-notch performances by Diana Dors, George Baker, Terence Morgan and the rest of the cast. The photography has a very impressive "noir" quality to it.

We start our flick in the London apartment of Johnny (George Baker). Johnny informs his gal pal that due to some unfortunate luck at the race track, he's got to skip town real fast. He's headed "back home" to duck gambling debts.




Johnny returns home to scenic Rawborough (which everybody pronounces "Rawbruh")

Johnny takes a room in the same boarding house where his brother, Dave (Terence Morgan) lives. Before Dave gets home from work, Johnny finds that Dave has a rather interesting neighbor and gal pal named Calico (Diana Dors)













































Johnny finds that Dave is quite enthralled by Calico, buying her expensive gifts and such. Later the trio go out for a night at the club Calico works at

It is revealed that Dave has embezzeled from the foundry (where he works in the accounting department) to pay for his gifts to Calico.

Unfortunately, some big wigs are coming earlier than expected to check the books, so Dave's crime is sure to be uncovered. Johnny decides he will attempt to scrap up enough money to replace what Dave stole before it is found out.

Calico has a plan too -- if the foundry safe is robbed, no one will notice the money Dave embezzled, plus there would be enough money to make everyone's dreams come true...

... and off Dave is sent on his extracurricular activities

And from there, things get quite dicey as the plan runs into some rather shocking complications. I will not spoil how things turn out, but will say there are some tense moments and surprising twists.

A very satisfying movie experience, for sure!