Excellent, a Must See

everything you have heard about this movie is true.

Dreadfully Boring

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

Almost all the action takes place in a bank where the manager has to set a time-lock on a Friday night at 6pm that keeps the vault securely locked until 9am the following Monday. But then the accountant's wife and six-year-old son arrive. It is the boy's birthday and he has been given a torch (flash-light) as a present. Of course he wants to try it out, and the dark unlit vault is a perfect place. A car crash outside distracts the manager and he doesn't see the boy go into the vault. When he comes away from the window he doesn't check inside the vault, just locks it up. When they realise the boy must be inside, they try to unlock the vault. But can't. So they try to contact Head Office and the expert who knows about vaults. But he has already left for a fishing trip. We all know that eventually they will rescue the boy, so "spoilers" don't apply, unless someone makes a disaster movie where the the heroes fail and everyone dies? Na. It is hard to recognise Sean Connery at age 27. Good acting, good story, not very demanding, so I liked it.

Generally speaking, British "B" films are far outshone by their Hollywood counterparts. But this one, produced by Peter Rogers and directed (of course) by Gerald Thomas, was based on a reasonably exciting TV script by Arthur "Airport" Hailey. It was screenplayed by Rogers himself and rates with me as one of his best. In addition to his admirably taut script, Rogers has assembled a first-rate cast led by Robert Beatty, Betty McDowall, Vincent Winter, and of course, Lee Patterson. The large variety of camera set-ups and well edited inserts divert one's attention from the cramped, hole-in-the-wall set and other limited production values. There has to be a worthwhile quota quickie in there somewhere, and Time Lock is it!

One type of movie we Brits used to do really well was the 'B' movie. In the '50's and '60's, British studios churned out dozens of supporting features, inexpensively produced, often featuring actors of whom no-one had ever heard, and while being far from masterpieces they proved very enjoyable. 'Time Lock' was one such picture. Based on a play by Arthur Hailey ( author of 'Airport' ), it tells the story of a little boy who accidentally gets trapped in a bank vault, and of the numerous attempts to rescue him. Robert Beatty heads the cast, which features a young Sean Connery as one of the would-be rescuers. What's surprising is that the picture was directed by Gerald Thomas, future 'Carry On' director. He brings a Hitchcock-like feel to the story, and one wishes he'd made a few more films in this vein. 'Time Lock' is above average, and worth catching if it comes round on television. The person who likened the film to 'Plan 9 From Outer Space' deserves to be locked in a vault himself. The only thing they have in common is they are both in black and white!

Time Lock came on Channel 4 during the early hours one morning and I set the video to tape it and was pleased I did.A bank in Toronto is just closing up for the week when the accountant's small boy decides to go into the safe to try out his new flash light he had as a birthday present. Just as they are about to lock up, the staff get distracted to something outside and then lock the safe, which has been timed to open the following Monday morning, not knowing the boy is in there. Several ways are then tried to rescue him, including a loud speaker, hammers and an acetylene torch. They eventually get in the safe to rescue the boy by banging a hole at the side wall and unlock it by accessing the time lock through that hole. Luckily, the boy is OK when rescued at the end. This movie was rather enjoyable, despite its low budget. It was British made, despite the Canadian setting.The movie stars Vincent Winter (Gorgo) as the boy, Steven and a young, pre James Bond Sean Connery. The boy's parents are played by Robert Beatty and Betty McDowall.This movie is worth checking out if you get the chance, as it is rather obscure.Rating: 3 and a half stars out of 5.