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Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

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.

DON'T TALK TO STRANGE MEN is one of those intriguing, forgotten thrillers that's a great for fans of British cinema. It's about a lively and beautiful young girl who randomly answers a ringing public phone and soon finds herself entranced by the voice on the other end: the man sounds attractive and is willing to meet up with her. However, can he be trusted? There were a few films with similar themes that came out around the same time (like Hammer's NEVER TAKE SWEETS FROM A STRANGER) and they do feel ahead of their time. The use of a telephone for sinister communication here brings to mind the later chills of BLACK Christmas and WHEN A STRANGER CALLS and of course the whole stalking-style plot line would eventually transform into the slasher genre of the 1980s.DON'T TALK TO STRANGE MEN is quite a dated film, with a slow and sedate pace, and nothing much really happens until the very end. However, it's richly atmospheric and also quite realistic in the depiction of the average British family and their lives. It might not be the most entertaining film out there but it's a curio worth checking out nonetheless.

As JohnRouseMelliotChard says, this film is deserving of more or better exposure, although of course, the Sunday afternoon slot would merit it, but in today's PC and wishy-washy liberal idiom, it wouldn't get the chance. Although 'internet grooming' by today's social media has become a worry, or a worrying 'norm', this film shows that with even less technology in those days (1962), an accomplished pervert was still able to do the same! A young sixteen-year-old, Jean, played by Christina Gregg is standing by a 'phone box, waiting for the bus that takes her to her babysitting job in the pub, run by Ron, (Conrad Philips). The 'phone rings, no-one seems around to answer it, Jean decides to pick it up. A man with, it has to be said, a sexy, captivating and smooth voice 'coaxes' Jean into talking, somewhat on her part anyway, naively.Before long, when jumping onto her bus, Jean's in a little headspin about the guy on the 'phone. So much so, she arranges to 'meet' him on the 'phone the following day. Add to this, talking to her sweet, yet precocious 14 year-old sister, Ann (Janina Faye), despite exercising caution, the latter's adding flame to the fire, probably unintentionally, but asking so many questions about the mystery man, clearly that Jean has been captivated by, even though it's just his voice. 'The man' (we don't have a name), carries on with this 'grooming' (for it's what he IS doing!). On one occasion, she doesn't make the bus as she's kept late at work, she herself becoming very agitated by this - 'the man' plays on this when questioning her about her lateness for their 'phone-liaison, puts down the 'phone on her which leads to Jean become even more agitated - 'upping' his game on her. Soon as he can though, on the next 'rendevous' on the 'phone, he suggests they meet. All Jean can do is see no real harm and they make the date 'at the 'phone box'. Ann in the meantime is banned by the erstwhile pipe-smoking and laid back Dad-of-daughters from going 'to the local dance'. Jean has been banned from going out too to her pub job on the same night. The two of them make an excuse to 'Dad' of going to the pictures - a subterfuge to get them out of the house and do what they were going to do - EXCEPT that Ann decides to follow Jean on her 'date at the 'phone box' after finally warning Jean this may be a huge mistake. Even the friendly and funny Dandy Nichols as the bus conductor, Molly, informs Jean she's mad doing this and a warning about a local girl found strangled, 'Are you crazy, he might be anything', says Molly. 'Of course not,' replies Jean, 'not with a voice like THAT, you can always tell', she goes on, obliviously. (Talk about insane!).Jean, eventually has second thoughts about this night of the date, runs off to the pub where she works - and - 'the man' appears at the very same place, asking Ron for directions! But then, Jean overhears and finally sees 'the voice/the man' ! Now knowing, that although she's out of danger in her new-found apprehension, she sees 'the man' ringing what of course must be the 'phone box. Watching and hearing him on the 'phone, she knows now another girl must be at the 'phone box as he is having the conversation in 'her name' (she gave the false name of 'Samantha' to 'the man'). Guess who it is - her sister, Ann, whilst looking for the now-disappeared Jean! The latter now knows she has to warn whoever it is. Jean confides in Ron she was going to meet this mystery man, Ron can't get his head around it as if Jean's mad, stating he had a conversation with 'the man' and he was meeting a friend. She rings the box, realising it's Ann, warns her, but, 'the man' is there - Ann says: 'I'm NOT Samantha!' 'He' replies: 'You ARE to ME!' I know I've put in 'Spoilers' but I'll let you see it!!! This was a neat thriller, with equally neat touches. Dandy Nichols as Molly, saying what we all would to Jean but injecting some humour at times and of course, the one who steals the show a little is Ann, not only with Jean, but annoying her dad with her anti-hunting lectures and telling him what she thinks of him and the establishment in her no-nonsense way. It had a good script and I wouldn't say it was nailbiting until the end predictably, but it flows well and the script and acting, plus Jean's undoubtedly stupidity and naiveity - perhaps 'of the time' and that's part of the point, however common 'grooming' is now, make it well worth a watch.

Released as the support feature to The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, Don't Talk to Strange Men is a very effective creeper that is worthy of a larger audience. Clocking in at just over an hour in running time, film thrives on tension building and mood without having to spill a drop of blood. Story effectively is about a teenage girl called Jean (Christina Gregg), who whilst waiting for her bus on a secluded country lane, answers the phone ringing at the phone box situated by the stop. The voice on the phone is a charming and well spoken man, he strikes up a conversation with the intrigued girl and it's not long before the two of them are arranging to speak to each other at the same time tomorrow, and the next day…Jean begins fantasising about the man, conjuring up images of the perfect male. They are destined to meet up, does she not know these are dangerous times? Where young ladies fall prey to predatory monsters… The settings are perfect, Jean and her family live in some idyllic country village, the phone box and bus stop that houses the verbal "grooming" is at the junction of two pretty country lanes, and even the pub where Jean goes to help out is the kind of petite "off the beaten track" variety. It's these locations that give off a false sense of security, a normality of easy going life where nothing can go wrong…But as we know all too well these days, nowhere is safe and parents constantly live in fear for their children. With that, Don't Talk to Strange Men is something of a film ahead of its time, substitute naive Jean's phone box "relationship" with that of today's Internet groomers of youngsters, and, well, you get my point I'm sure. Neatly directed by Pat Jackson (The Feminine Touch), the film is structured in such a way that we the audience get fretful as each day, and each phone conversation, passes. Where once was this attractive young lady framed by countryside and the old fashioned value of the red phone box, now is replaced by surroundings that are too quiet and a big red beacon of impending doom! It's an astute turning of the table, a testament to good writing and excellent directional pacing. And how nice to report that the ending, too, has something up its sleeve to reveal. The cast is minimal but very effective, with Gregg doing well to convince us of her love yearning naivety, Dandy Nicholls (Hue & Cry) memorable (wasn't she always?) as the wise bus conductor and Janina Faye (The Horror of Dracula) stealing the film as Jean's younger, politico activist in waiting, sister. A lesson in how to get the maximum unease from such a simple premise, Don't Talk to Strange Men comes highly recommended. 8/10

Don't Talk to Strange Men is just what a thriller should be; simple and effective. The film is very short, running at only just over an hour; but this time is put to very good use as director Pat Jackson wastes no time in getting straight to the point. The film would appear to be a cautionary tale for kids and the subject at hand is the idea of a minor being 'groomed' by an adult who plans to take advantage of them. However, the director doesn't preach anything to the audience; instead the story is just allowed to play out. We focus on a small town that has been upset by the murders of some young kids. Jean Painter is the naive daughter of an overprotective father. She works at a local bar and catches the bus home. One day while waiting for the bus, she hears the phone in the booth near the bus stop ringing; and innocently answers the phone. She begins a dialogue with the stranger on the other end, and becomes obsessed with his voice. Eventually, the stranger suggests they meet...and it becomes clear he has sinister motives.A major reason why this film works so well is down to the fact that all the major characters are easy to get along with. Christina Gregg's character does require the audience to suspend their disbelief somewhat as she is so easily infatuated with the stranger on the phone; but she plays the role well and is easy to root for. Gwen Cherrell's script is serviceable; but at times the dialogue can be a little strange, and it feels unnatural. The story itself also seems a bit hard to believe at first glance; but inadvertently falling for a voice on the phone is no more unbelievable than falling for someone in an internet chat room; and that is a story we hear often today, meaning the film still has meaning almost fifty years since it was made. The film flows well throughout and is always interesting; but the final third is the best of all. The director really cranks up the tension until it becomes nail-biting, and the final conclusion is well worth the effort invested in the film. The actual ending itself is a bit abrupt and too light-hearted for my liking...but this is still an excellent thriller that more than makes up for any flaws. Highly recommended viewing...if you can find a copy.