Review

  • When I first saw the film, 'Helter Skelter', I saw the connection. When David Tomlinson appeared as Nick Martin, Special Investigator, heard nightly on the BBC I thought of 'Dick Barton, Special Agent'. The film was made in 1948 at the height of Dick Barton's popularity. There were thoughts at that time what would happen if Dick Barton (played by Noel Johnson) failed to turn up for an episode? Virtually the whole of Britain stopped at 18.45 each evening during winter to hear the next instalment. And look what happened in the film: Nick's girlfriend was accidentally looked in one of the rooms at the BBC and wasn't found in time for the programme so Nick refused to go on air. The whole country stopped. No-one went to the football or the races. I haven't seen any comments on the connection but anyone who heard 'Dick Barton' at that time would have recognised it. Only 'The Devil's Galop' was missing. Great film with old-time stars!