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."

Cash On Demand is a story about a home invasion/bank robbery. Peter Cushing is almost Dickensian like in his portrayal of the stuffy branch manager who seems to have been modeled on Ebenezer Scrooge.

The first 10 minutes or so set the tone for the film as we see all the employees scurrying about doing their best to avoid coming under Cushing's withering glance. But his attention is drawn to Richard Vernon who he suspects of sloppy bookkeeping at best and embezzlement at worst. He's telling this Bob Cratchit that he'll be hitting the bricks soon.

At that point Andre Morrell comes in and says he's a bank examiner from some insurance company. But when he's alone he reveals to Cushing that he doesn't examine banks, he robs them. And he further reveals that Cushing's wife and daughter are being held hostage and he's going to empty the vault and leave within an hour unobstructed lest they be killed by his accomplices.

Cash On Demand is a real sleeper with most of the action focusing on the scenes between Cushing and Morrell. Even a ruthless crook takes down Cushing's character and from what we see the man has some shrewd observations. Cushing though understandably frightened summons up some inner resources here. It's a wonderful contrast in characters.

Try to catch this one if TCM runs it.

Harry Fordyce (Peter Cushing) is the manager of the Haversham branch of the City & Colonial Bank. He's a stickler for the rules and berates his underling Pearson over minor infractions. The bank insurer has sent Colonel Gore Hepburn (André Morell) to inspect the branch but he turns out to be the leader of a bank robbery crew. His men have taken Harry's family hostage and he directs Harry to steal from the bank.

This Hammer film is a little different from their usual monster B-movie. This is a crime noir B-movie and it's darn good. The production is actually quite simple with a simple set and a limited number of actors. The trick is that these are terrific British actors led by the great Peter Cushing. Morell is having so much devious fun. Richard Vernon is the secret weapon. I would however insert a more prominent music score to heighten the tension. There is a little bit later but it's much too light. It's a little too play-like. It needs something more cinematic as well as the visuals. All in all, this is a superior B-movie.