Double Feature!

THE TOUGH GUY (a.k.a. THE COSH BOY, a.k.a. THE SLASHER) 1952
U.K. film. Juvenile delinquent cosh boys were the precursors to the Teddy Boys! Based upon the stage play, "Master Crook," this is the first British-made picture to be awarded an 'X' certificate. Amongst the bomb-sites and dark alleys of postwar London Roy Walsh (James Kenney) and his gang of juvenile delinquents steal old ladies pocketbooks them smash them over the head. Without parental control from his war-widowed doting mother, Welsh, already on probation, drifts into more and more devious and serious offences. Eventually the police catch up him and his sidekick Alfie (Ian Whittaker), but in court the Magistrate passes a fairly lenient probation sentence in suggesting that they join a youth club. From the relative safety of the youth club, Walsh and Alfie use the building as a base for their growing operation. By intimidating other members of the club, they increase their numbers. Walsh's success goes to his head and he arranges the robbery of the takings from a wrestling night (real 1952 wrestling footage!). He becomes attracted to his friend's sister, Rene (Joan Collins), and seduces her on a bombsite whilst his gang beat up her boyfriend. When the robbery goes wrong, Walsh shoots a doorman and finds himself on a charge of attempted murder. Chief among this film's guilty pleasures is Joan Collins. She shares above-the-title billing with Cosh Boy, James Kenney. To begin with, she's a nice girl; but once he's had his wicked way with her, she wears way too much makeup and starts dressing like a tramp. Of course, there's only one way this relationship can end—she flings herself in the Thames! James Kenney, Joan Collins, Ian Whittaker, Johnny Briggs, Sid James, Betty Ann Davies, Robert Ayres, Hermione Baddeley, Nancy Roberts, Laurence Naismith, Stanley Escane, Michael McKeag, Sean Lynch, Edward Evans, Cameron Hall, Hermione Gingold. The Tough Guy!

Plus this bonus selection...

THE PUBLIC PAYS 1936
U.S. Short film. An episode of MGM’s "Crime Does Not Pay" series, this entry focuses on racketeering. Gangsters set up a phony association which all the creameries in a city are forced to join to make the price of milk go up. Those who don't join have vehicle "accidents" and other problems!

THE TOUGH GUY (a.k.a. THE COSH BOY, a.k.a. THE SLASHER) 1952 movie on DVD and VHS!