The Informers (1963 film)
# The Informers (1963 film)

The Informers (US title - Underworld Informers) is a 1963 British crime film produced and distributed in the UK by The Rank Organisation and distributed in the US by Continental Film Distributors. It was directed by Ken Annakin and produced by William MacQuitty, with screenplay by Paul Durst and Alun Falconer from the novel Death of a Snout by Douglas Warner. It stars Nigel Patrick, Margaret Whiting, Harry Andrews, Derren Nesbitt and Colin Blakely. Cinematography was by Reginald H. Wyer. It was filmed at Pinewood Studios and on location in London.

## Plot

The story concerns the uneasy relationship between a Scotland Yard Detective, Johnnoe, and the Squad Chief, Bestwick, over the formerly traditional use of "snouts" (paid informants). Despite being told that these should no longer be used and to adopt more scientific principles of detection, Johnnoe continues to do so until one of his informants is murdered. He again disobeys orders and pursues his own lines of inquiry but as he closes in on the villains, they frame him for corruption and he is arrested and held in prison. With few friends left on his side of the law, his wife enlists the help of the murdered man's brother.

## Cast

* Nigel Patrick as Chief Inspector John Edward Johnnoe
* Margaret Whiting as Maisie Barton
* Katherine Woodville as Mary Johnnoe
* Colin Blakely as Charlie Ruskin
* Derren Nesbitt as Bertie Hoyle
* Harry Andrews as Superintendent Alec Bestwick
* Michael Coles as Ben
* John Cowley as Jim Ruskin
* Allan Cuthbertson as Smythe
* Frank Finlay as Leon Sale
* Ronald Hines as Sergeant Geoff Lewis
* Roy Kinnear as Shorty
* Peter Prowse as Mick Lonergan
* George Sewell as Fred Hill
* Kenneth J. Warren as Lou Waites
* Brian Wilde as Lipson
* Peter Bowles as Peter the Pole
* Patrick Jordan as 1st Inspector
* Donal Donnelly as Tommy the Trotter
* Harry Landis as Hicks

## Production

The Informers was filmed at various locations around London, including the Thames Embankment, Westminster, Soho, Paddington, Covent Garden, Hampstead and Golders Green.

