THE FLANAGAN BOY is another early Hammer crime thriller with shades of American noir and an excellent performance from Barbara Payton, playing another effective femme fatale character. The small-scale story involves an upcoming young boxer who begins an ill-fated affair with the wife of his own manager, and as you can imagine things eventually lead to betrayal and murder. Despite the cheapness evident in the production, this is solid viewing material, particularly bolstered by the fine Sid James and John Slater, who make a good comic double act in support. The story might be hackneyed but the actors work hard and there isn't an ounce of fat on the lean narrative.