The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Associate producer: Anthony Nelson-Keys. Executive producer: Michael Carreras. A Hammer Film Production. A Columbia Release.Copyright 1 January 1962 by Woodpecker/Hammer Productions, released in the U.K. through BLC on 15 December 1963, in the U.S.A. through Columbia in February 1962. No New York opening. Australian release: 20 July 1962. Running times: 84 minutes (U.S.A.), 66 minutes (U.K.), 90 minutes (Aust.). (An excellent Sony DVD).SYNOPSIS: Posing as an insurance company investigator, Hepburn plans to loot the provincial bank managed by Fordyce, who is something of a martinet to his staff. Hepburn persuades Fordyce that, unless he assists in the robbery and getaway, his wife and son will come to a sorry end; thoroughly cowed, Fordyce agrees to help.COMMENT: Although its TV origins are obvious, suspenseful writing, concentrated playing and well-knit direction gives this modest Hammer thriller an edge over its contemporaries. — J.H.R. (reviewing the British version).OTHER VIEWS: Unlucky us, Columbia have released the complete 90- minute version in Australia. Admittedly, a must for Andre Morell and Peter Cushing devotees, but somewhat less palatable for the ordinary, fee-paying entertainment-seeker. - George Addison reviewing the Australian version.One of those pre-arranged robberies in which all the steps are plotted and planned and all work out nicely and smoothly until that unexpected slip-up, is what you get in this neat, unpretentious little British film ... The picture provides a few engaging moments of suspense and some modest exchanges of obvious humor between Mr. Morell, who is casual and dry, and Peter Cushing, who is pinch-faced and nervous as the cornered bank manager. — Bosley Crowther, reviewing the American version in The N.Y. Times.

From Hammer Films, "Cash on Demand" is a good thriller from 1961.It's Christmas week, and in the office of City & Colonial Bank in Haversham, it's a quiet day. The small staff is managed by Harry Fordyce (Peter Cushing), a business-only nerd who exudes no warmth, no holiday spirit, and does not fraternize with the help. He won't even let the staff put up Christmas decorations.Today there is a ten pound discrepancy and he's making a big hullabaloo about it, even though the error was spotted.In walks Colonel Gore Hepburn (Andre Morrell), who represents the bank insurance company. He is doing a surprise inspection of the security. When he's alone with Fordyce, he informs him that he's a thief, there to steal the bank's money, and that he's holding Fordyce's wife and child hostage. One signal from the window, and they're done with.Hepburn has the robbery planned down to the second, and Fordyce must play along. In the outer office, Hepburn acts like an efficient man, checking out the floor signals. Fordyce is a wreck but tries not to show it. He carries out all of his instructions, which include putting the money into suitcases (Hepburn's "luggage").Very suspenseful film, and one wonders if Hepburn will be able to get away with the robbery, and if Fordyce will be implicated in any way. Peter Cushing is tremendous in the role of Fordyce, cold, stern, and highly disciplined, living a life where there are no shades of gray and mistakes are not permitted. As Hepburn, Andre Morell is excellent, charming even when he's talking about the most deadly things.The ending is a little rushed and a tiny bit confusing, but the story is a nice little take on "A Christmas Carol" with Scrooge Fordyce learning a few life lessons. Highly recommended. I saw this on a double disc with "Stop Me Before I Kill."

This Hammer production is not like any other. There's no monster to be found and Peter Cushing plays the (mostly) good guy! He's the Scrooge-like manager of a bank, visited upon by an insurance inspector (André Morell) only to find out he's been duped into assisting in a robbery. Based on a play but nevertheless suspenseful enough to be cinematic. Director Quentin Lawrence wisely keeps his camera moving...whizzing between rooms and up & down stairs. Cushing is dynamite in a role that elicits sympathy despite the fact that he's a mean-spirited company man...goading his underlings with petty complaints (the bank pens are not up to snuff) and constantly reminding them of their workplace class structure where he is, of course, on top. Morell is quite good as well, straddling between efficiency and pure evil. One flaw: what could have been quite an ironic ending is dulled by too much explication. Richard Vernon is exceptional as Cushing's nervous subordinate.

This delightful little low-budget film is one of Hammer's least-known efforts and also one of their best. The story is a reworking of "A Christmas Carol", as Peter Cushing's bank manager, a cold and austere man, and a petty tyrant to his staff, goes through a terrible experience which leads him to change his ways. Cushing is quite superb as the manager and Andre Morell almost as good as the urbane thief who controls events until the denouement. The plot twists and turns and the writing is first-class.