Dangerous Cargo – 1954 | 61 mins | Crime | B&W

Plot Synopsis

Pacey b-movie crime thriller from the story Goldthieves written by Daily Express crime correspondent Percy Hoskins and inspired by Jack Spot’s foiled Heathrow heist in 1952. John Harlow’s lively film boasts a cast of reliable character actors, authentic locations, touches of comedy and an exciting climax.

Tim Matthews (Jack Watling), a security guard at London’s Metropolitan Airport, one day bumps into an old wartime friend, chauffeur Harry Preston (Terence Alexander), who invites Tom and his wife Janie (Susan Stephen) out for a night on the town. At the dog track Tom and Janie win big at the bookies, so Tim subsequently returns to the dogs for an evening of gambling with Harry and loses heavily. Tim can’t repay the debt and Harry introduces him to gangster Luigi (John le Mesurier), who offers to pay handsomely in return for information about the shipments of gold bullion.

Tim refuses to be blackmailed and realises he has been the victim of a sting. Luigi and gang mastermind Pliny (Karel Stepanek) won’t take no for an answer so kidnap Tim’s son and force him to reveal details of the gold shipment. The security guard is watched day and night by the gang and tries to use work colleague Noel Butler (Richard Pearson) as a go-between to the police.