The Dummy Talks
1943 | 85m | English
Popularity: 0.3 (history)
| Director: | Oswald Mitchell |
|---|---|
| Writer: | Con West, Michael Barringer, Jack Clifford |
| Staring: |
| An operation of counterfeit five pound notes is discovered at a variety theater, leading to murder during the performance. | |
| Release Date: | Oct 25, 1943 |
|---|---|
| Director: | Oswald Mitchell |
| Writer: | Con West, Michael Barringer, Jack Clifford |
| Genres: | |
| Keywords | |
| Production Companies | British National Films |
| Box Office |
Revenue: $0
Budget: $0 |
| Updates |
Updated: Jan 19, 2026 Entered: May 01, 2024 |
| Name | Character |
|---|---|
| Jack Warner | Jack |
| Claude Hulbert | Victor |
| G.H. Mulcaster | Piers Harriman |
| Beryl Orde | Beryl |
| Ivy Benson | Herself, Orchestra Leader |
| John Carol | Jimmy Royce |
| Evelyn Darvell | Peggy |
| Max Earle | Yates |
| Gordon Edwards | Mareus |
| Manning Whiley | Russell Warren |
| Charles Carson | Marvello |
| Derna Hazell | Maya |
| Manley & Austin | Themselves, Specialty Act |
| Sylvester & Nephew | Themselves, Specialty Act |
| Skating Avalons | Themselves, Specialty Act |
| Florence Austin | Herself |
| Leslie Bradley | |
| Arthur Denton | |
| Dorothy Gordon | |
| Patricia Hayes | |
| Harry Herbert | |
| Pamela Hesbitt | |
| Vi Kaley | |
| Tommy Manley | Himself |
| Barry Morse | |
| Leonard Sharp | |
| Olive Sloane | |
| Wendy Welling | |
| Ian Wilson | |
| Ronnie Corbett | Joe (Uncredited) |
| Name | Job |
|---|---|
| Oswald Mitchell | Director |
| Len Shilton | Sound Recordist |
| Con West | Story |
| Gladys Weston | Hairstylist |
| Fergus McDonell | Editor |
| Gerald Gibbs | Camera Operator |
| Joan Davis | Continuity |
| C. Wilfred Arnold | Art Direction |
| Harry Hayward | Makeup Artist |
| Michael Barringer | Writer |
| Kennedy Russell | Music Director |
| James Wilson | Director of Photography |
| Maude Churchill | Wardrobe Supervisor |
| Jack Harris | Supervising Editor |
| Harold V. King | Sound Supervisor |
| Phil Rigal | Assistant Director |
| Jack Clifford | Writer |
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Wallace Orton | Producer |
| Organization | Category | Person |
|---|
Popularity History
| Year | Month | Avg | Max | Min |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| 2024 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 1 |
| 2024 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 0 |
| 2024 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 0 |
| 2024 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| 2024 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 2024 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 1 |
| 2024 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| 2024 | 12 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| 2025 | 10 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| 2025 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 2025 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2026 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
Trending Position
Although there is an underlying murder mystery to this, it is essentially an excuse to feature some wartime variety artistes and showcase their talents. Insofar as it really matters, the ventriloquist at a theatre is found murdered. Now I was never a fan of that particular skill, so the police could ... probably have included me in the list of suspects, but there was simply no need. Just about everyone had some sort of motive. Anyway, rather hapless detective "Harbord" (Claude Hulbert) is on the case. The narrative of this investigation is peppered by some quite enjoyable on-stage efforts from the likes of Jack Warner and the star for me - Beryl Orde, but for the most part it is a WWII feel good film that would certainly have raised a smile then, but struggles to now. The ending with the dummies is quite amusing, but sadly just way too obvious. It isn't rotten, but it's not much cop either.