The Challenge (1960 film)

The Challenge
File:The Challenge 1960.jpg
Directed by	John Gilling
Produced by	John Temple-Smith
Written by	John Gilling
Starring	Jayne Mansfield and Anthony Quayle
Music by	Bill McGuffie
Cinematography	Gordon Dines
Edited by	Alan Osbiston and John Victor-Smith
Production company	Alexandra
Distributed by	J. Arthur Rank Film Distributors (UK)
Release dates	17 May 1960 (London) (UK)
Running time	101 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

The Challenge, released as It Takes a Thief in the United States, is a 1960 British crime film directed by John Gilling and starring Jayne Mansfield and Anthony Quayle.

Plot

Mansfield plays Billy, a ruthless gang leader who dumps gang member Kristy when he is convicted of robbery. Kristy serves his time, then recovers the stolen loot when he's released. Billy and her gang then kidnap Kristy's son and demand money as ransom.

Cast

• Jayne Mansfield ... Billy
• Anthony Quayle ... Jim
• Carl Möhner ... Kristy
• Peter Reynolds ... Buddy
• Barbara Mullen ... Ma Piper
• Robert Brown ... Bob Crowther
• Dermot Walsh ... Detective Sergeant Willis
• Patrick Holt ... Max
• Edward Judd ... Detective Sergeant Gittens
• John Bennett ... Spider
• Lorraine Clewes ... Mrs. Rick
• Percy Herbert ... Shop Steward
• John Stratton ... Rick
• Liane Marelli ... Striptease Artiste
• Bill McGuffie ... Nightclub Pianist

Critical reception

• TV Guide wrote, "most of the actors, with the exception of Quayle, are pretty stiff, and the story is hardly inspired."
• Sky Movies noted, "filled with such familiar leading men of British 'B' features as Peter Reynolds, Edward Judd, Dermot Walsh and Patrick Holt. Some of the best moments, though, are provided by Hollywood's Jayne Mansfield as the criminal mastermind, demure in black wig and horn-rimmed glasses as she does her 'firm's' books by day, but slinking around in sequins by night with a smile and a song."

External links

• The Challenge at IMDb
• Review of Renown Pictures DVD release