...recent phenomenon encouraged by the freedom of movement amongst EU citizens(or even instigated by it)"Passport to shame" will reassure you that bad men and women have always found the ways and means to give the public whatever it desires - at a price. Sixty years ago behind the curtains of the dirty book shops, members' clubs and private cinemas in Soho the dubious delights of commercial sex were available to anybody brave or desperate enough to seek it out. Pimping is not known as "The second oldest profession" for nothing. Offering so - called "protection" for sex workers for a high percentage of their earnings but in reality dealing in extreme violence and intimidation to keep their charges in line, pimps are loathed and feared in equal measure. Coppers certainly hate them. I met plenty of villains I was happy to have a drink with but I never met a pimp who I didn't want to smack around then put in a cell for a very long time. Unfortunately the latter at least didn't happen very often as evidence was hard to come by in such a climate of fear. Mr Herbert Lom,a charming and urbane man in real life plays a capo di tutti capo pimp as to the manner born. Ably assisted by Miss Brenda de Banzie as his little helper he "recruits" young girls onto the streets. Unfortunately for them their efforts at procuring incur the wrath of Mr Eddie Constantine (often used when relative exotica required) and Mr Robert Brown(hopefully no relation to William Brown,but one never knows) and in a pre Minicab London the black cab drivers make it their business to interfere with Mr Lom's business and put him out of it. "I had that Jack Spot in my cab the other day" I waited hopefully for one to say. Miss Diana Dors was sufficiently familiar with London low - life to give her role an edge of authenticity. You may find it under it's nom de movie "Room 43"on one of the more esoteric Freeview channels. Do watch it,I promise you won't regret it.

For some reason,Eddie Consadine,an American actor,popular on the continent was chosen as the male lead who is a taxi driver.So bang goes any hope of authenticity Herbert Lom does his best,whilst Diana Dors looks glamorous.However they cant save this undistinguished film from mediocrity.

PASSPORT TO SHAME is a fine little British thriller shining a light on the murky world of prostitution, with Herbert Lom at his sleaziest playing the film's antagonist, a pimp who keeps the girls in his care in an iron grip. Up against him is cult icon Eddie Constantine, bringing a lot of charm to the picture, and Robert Brown, a lot of fun in a two-fisted supporting part. Much of the attention goes to the glamorous Diana Dors as one of the girls. The film does well with the thriller aspects, although it's a potboiler for part of the running time; the best part is the lavish extended climax which brings together large-scale action, pyrotechnics and some high-rise stunts for superb effect.