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Absolutely the worst movie.

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

It's interesting that the robbery and shooting that is the subject of this movie doesn't even occur until almost 45 minutes into the film. This really isn't a complain, really, but more a statement about how the film was constructed. Instead of a typical linear film with a predictable format, this one is instead a realistic drama that emphasizes the routines and typical police work instead of a single crime. And, once the crime occurs, watching the police work was at times mundane and lacked the pizazz of some films but also made the film excel when it comes to realism. Stylistically, some might call it Noir or Noir Inspired--but the film deliberately avoids the lighting, language and grit of true Noir.As for the acting, it generally was excellent. The policemen were very good--not overly glamorized or macho--but very believable. So, when the widow receives word that her husband died from his injuries, you feel very touched--he was a "real" person and not just a plot device. In fact, this scene was truly exceptional. The killer, Dirk Bogarde, is in one of his first films and is much better than I would have expected--he was menacing and a truly nasty piece of work! The only negative was Peggy Evans, as Bogarde's girlfriend. First, she was supposed to be 17 but was 25--and looked every bit of 25, if not more. Second, I think the director must have told her to scream incoherently if she didn't know what to do in a particular scene, as she did this a lot--too much, frankly.Overall, it's a darn good police film. Realism seemed to matter over everything else and it was refreshing to see. In many ways, it reminded me of the American film, NAKED CITY, as the everyday police work and procedure was THE star of the film. Highly underrated and well worth seeing.

The repercussions of a robbery that goes awry after two "adult delinquents", robbing the check out counter of a coliseum, results in the shooting of a London street copper.The film shows the time leading up to the robbery, both the veteran "bobby", PC Dixon(Jack Warner), questioning whether or not to retire after many years of service, and how his new green partner, Andy Mitchell(Jimmy Hanley),(..who rents a room from him)helps in that decision. Meanwhile hoodlums, Tom Riley(Dirk Bogarde)and Spud(Patric Doonan)coerce a young woman, Diana Lewis(Peggy Evans), into helping them concoct a sting operation in order to score some easy loot. When Dixon startles Riley, the result is multiple gun shots to the copper's chest. Fleeing the scene of the crime, we watch as the trio fall apart at the seams while Scotland Yard begin their investigation as Dixon attempts, unsuccessfully, to rebound from his injuries. Mitchell might just get a chance to avenge his partner when a series of circumstances implicate the criminals.Early Ealing Studios picture, directed by Basil Dearden, with an early performance from Dirk Bogarde who's excellent as a cocky, brash heel getting in a lot of hot water as his Tom Riley's jealousy and fear cause a cycle of damaging events leading to a thrilling car and foot chase through London streets, climaxing into a dog-track. We see the investigation and the effects of Dixon's death on the crime-fighters, while Riley and girlfriend Diana's tumultuous relationship tears apart with jealousy towards Spud increasing the ever-growing friction. We see how fate can deal a bad hand as Dixon's contemplating retirement and deciding to remain a cop leads to his doom. And, how Mitchell remains strong with an impressive resolve despite the fact that his partner's murderer remains at large with citizens holding a not-so-fond view(..at times a vocal contempt) of the police. The film does show that the trio of criminals' plan was badly prepared, with them making poor decisions which cost them dearly.The film is a call to arms in which the police must better prepare themselves for the evolving types of criminals which were appearing from the woodwork and that approaching hoodlums should change for safety's sake.

When the Blue Lamp was released i was around 3 years old.I therefore do remember the London that it shows.To me the film is more interesting in what it reveals about the London of 1950 than the actual story.It shows the Metropolitan Music hall in the Edgware Road.It was in the last few years of its life before the A4 cutting a swathe into London meant that it was demolished for "progress".Music Hall by this time was in its last throes and what was left would be rendered extinct by the arrival of ITV.We see the Colloseium in Harlesden.Every High Street had cinemas like this.If you look carefully you will see that they were showing "Granny Get Your Gun" a 1940 "B" feature with May Robson.So it was probably a second run house.There are the bomb sites.I remember that in certain parts of London,particularly the East End there mere were more such sites than actual buildings.The streets do not have a great deal of traffic as there was little traffic at that time.So a film of some sociological interest

I taped The Blue Lamp when Channel 4 screened it one afternoon and found it very good.It is about the normal life of Paddington Green Police station in London and the police have more work on when a murderer strikes. Worse still, one of the murderer's victims is PC George Dixon. These murders turn out to be connected with a series of robberies on shops and the search for the killer is stepped up. He is caught at the end in a greyhound stadium.The Blue Lamp gives you an idea on what life was like at this time (1950) and it is great to see the old buses, trolleybuses, cars and other vehicles in the background. Very atmospheric at times too.The cast is lead by Jack Warner as PC Dixon and is joined by Dirk Bogarde (Doctor In the House), Jimmy Hanley, Robert Flemyng (The Blood Beast Terror), Bernard Lee (long before he appeared as M in the James Bond movies), Gladys Henson and Dora Bryan (who can now be seen in comedy Last of the Summer Wine). Great parts from all.Despite him being killed off in this, Jack Warner went on to star as PC Dixon in the long running and successful TV series Dixon of Dock Green.The Blue Lamp is British drama at its best. Excellent.Rating: 4 stars out of 5.