The Flying Squad
This is one of about three dozen British films picked up by CBS in 1949 for television presentation. Its initial telecasts took place in Baltimore Saturday 2 July 1949 on WMAR (Channel 2), in Los Angeles Saturday 16 July 1949 on KTTV (Channel 11) and in New York City Saturday 27 August 1949 on WCBS (Channel 2). Since this title had never been shown theatrically in the USA, these telecasts were also its USA premiere showings.,Version of The Flying Squad (1929),This is a typical Wallace story.With a gang of stop at nothing smugglers with a ruthless boss whose headquarters are down by the Thames.They are opposed by Sebastian Shaw as the head of the Flying Squad and Basil Radford in a very uncharacteristic role as a rather eccentric gang member who is dressed up and speaks like George Robey.There are lots of car chases and fist fights and everything you would expect from a film version of a Wallace novel.The gang are smuggling "face powder" and using the sister of a dead gang member to assist.It all ends up well with Radford having the final scene all to himself with a rather funny last line.By the way a car is filled up with 12 gallons of petrol for 95p.Those were the days.Also one wonders if Wallace is having a little joke.Since the method that Hawkins uses to dispose of gang members who are surplus to requirements is a trapdoor which when opened leads straight to the Thames.We all know that rhyming slang for the Flying Squad is Sweeny Todd and we all know how he disposed of his customers.,