Never Take Sweets from a Stranger (1960)

I like the storyline of this show,it attract me so much

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

An extremely well executed film with very difficult theme and despite the care and attention, never mind the pre-filming censorship problems, one wonders just who was likely to be the intended audience. Perhaps the answer is in the makers' fight for a certificate less than an 'X' on the grounds that otherwise children would not be able to see it. It seems that the intention was to send out a warning that not all is wonderful in the world and care should be taken when 'strange' men or simply 'strangers' offer incentives for children to disrobe. The film is of necessity disturbing and there seems little chance such a film would even today be made available to 'children', however hypocritical that is. Gwen Watford is excellent and Janina Faye as the 'victim' absolutely spot on in a very difficult role. Brave, literate and very powerful.

Cyril Frankel directed this still bold drama set in England. Two Pre-teen girls named Jean & Lucille are playing in the woods when they learn that they can get free candy from the old man in the mansion. His name is Clarence Oldenberry Sr.(played by Felix Alymer) and unfortunately he is also a pedophile, and their parents learn later had the girls dance nude for him in exchange for candy. Outraged, Jean's parents Peter & Sally Carter inform the authorities, but are told that because the family are huge town supporters, that filing charges would be unwise. Undeterred, the Carters file charges, with unforeseen consequences for all... Provocative film remains quite daring, but is made with intelligence and restraint, and sadly also remains quite timely as well. An unusual but worthwhile film from Hammer studios.

I also saw this film back in the 60s (when it may have been first run on TV) and remember the eerie forest scenes, vividly captured on monochromatic film. It must have created a sensation in those very rigidly conservative times. It was a very taboo topic for 1960, more so than homosexuality but now people are able to talk about it - here in Australia a Royal Commision into child abuse is just getting under way.When Jean Carter (Janina Faye) loses her "candy money" her little friend Louise tells her she knows where they can get candy for free. The Carters have just arrived in a small Canadian town where Peter (Patrick Allen) has just been taken on as the principal of the local school. When he and his wife Sally (Gwen Watford) arrive home from a welcome party, their little daughter is up and wanting to tell them how she received sweets from an elderly man who wanted them to dance before him naked!! Sally goes straight to the police and comes up against a brick wall. The elderly man is Mr. Claude Olderberry Snr., the town's founder and while the Carters are newcomers they soon find out that Olderberry Jnr. runs the town and will do whatever it takes not to have his father's name dragged through the mud. I wondered why the Carter's didn't see Louise's parents initially - they eventually did, only to tell them that they were counting on Louise to testify, which didn't go down too well!!!Meanwhile they have heard different stories, one of the teachers hints that it isn't the first time something like this has happened and the old man has already been sent to a sanatorium to "cure" him. The police make it clear that Sally is at fault for not keeping Jean away as the old dodderer is notorious for his "love" of children. A few of the reviewers were skeptical that an elderly man would pose such a threat to a pair of energetic kids but I thought, as portrayed by Felix Aylmer, he was really scary, he didn't talk but was very menacing!!The case goes to court but the defense lawyers treatment of little Jean is such that Peter drops the suit and Mr. Olderberry gets a full apology from the court. That is not the end though, and the last part features a chase through the woods (I would have been petrified as Olderberry just lurches through the undergrowth!!). Their only escape is in an old boat but they have forgotten to untie the rope and the salacious old man is on the jetty dragging the boat back to it's moorings!!One reviewer said it was given a restricted rating which meant no one under 16 was permitted into the cinema and probably explains why, to the best of my knowledge, it has only been on TV (in Australia anyway) the one time. Only the British could have made a film that was tasteful, forceful and confronting all at the same time and I agree it is a film not to be missed. I also thought Janina Faye was quite good in what would have been a controversial role. I can remember Janina Faye as a spoilt Amy in a British production of "Little Women" back in 1970. I know the teen magazines at the time ("Fab", "Jackie" etc) were full of her. She must have excelled in bratty roles because I recently saw her as a "flatmate from Hell" (you know, the type who borrow your clothes without permission and even steal labelled food from the fridge) in the Thriller episode "Good Salary, Prospects, Free Coffin"!!Highly Recommended.

If you think all Hammer films are vampires and werewolves and Frankenstein - think again. Hammer made all kinds of films. No doubt the Cushing/Lee films are classics, but some of these lesser known thrillers are masterpiece low budget films. I truly wish the Hollywood of today would take some notes from these thrillers and realize that with a great script and competent actors you can have an excellent film without spending a fortune. This film is especially terrifying if you are the parent of a child under 15. A new family moves into town, the father taking up post as the new schoolmaster. Their young daughter makes friends with a local girl and all seems well. But this town hides a decades old secret. As with many small towns there is one family that is the town patriarch. The founders. The family that has their hands in every pie in town. And this patriarchal family wields their power like a hammer. They also have a family member with problems that they expect the town to turn a deaf ear to. Felix Aylmer, a wonderful British character actor gives a sit on the edge of your seat performance as the creepy Clarence Elderberry, Sr., without uttering one single word in the entire film. Without being explicit, gory, or using foul language, Hammer presents a gut wrenchingly terrifying film that also serves as a timely public service announcement! Another great one to watch on a cold, dark, stormy afternoon. This movie will stick with you and make you ever aware of your children's whereabouts.