Night Beat – 1947 | 91 mins | Crime | B&W

Plot Synopsis

Fast-paced British crime melodrama set in post-war London as two army friends end on opposite sides of the law. The two lead actors are particularly wooden and it’s left to the supporting cast to add some lowlife colour; particularly Maxwell Reed’s smug villain, Christine Norden as the vampish blonde, Sid James piano playing snout and a brief appearance by Michael Medwin as an indignant petty crook.

After being demobbed, two soldiers, Andy Kendall (Ronald Howard) and Don Brady (Hector Ross) return to civilian life and struggle to adjust to new vocations. Don’s girlfriend, Julie (Anne Crawford) attempts to persuade him to join her in working for shady Soho racketeer Felix (Maxwell Reed), but both the former comrades join the police. Don’s career in the force blossoms and he is quickly promoted to CID, whilst Andy’s undisciplined approach leads to him leaving the police.

Andy becomes involved with lusty nightclub singer Jackie (Christine Norden) and takes a job working the black market for Felix. Andy is double-crossed during the delivery of a truckload off illicit whiskey and is duly sentenced to three months behind bars. When released he seeks revenge, believing Felix tipped-off informant Nixon (Sid James) to shop him to the police.