Cash on Demand Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Cash on Demand Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov June 20, 2018

Quentin Lawrence's "Cash on Demand" (1961) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films. The supplemental features on the disc include vintage promotional materials for the film; exclusive new video interview with actress Lois Daine; new audio commentary by Hammer experts and authors David Miller and Jonathan Rigby; and more. The release also arrives with a 36-page illustrated booklet featuring a new essay by critic Kim Newman, archival cast and crew interviews and profiles, contemporary reviews, film credits, and technical specs. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

The manager

Two of British cinema’s greatest stars, Peter Cushing and Andre Morell, go against each other in this small but quite wonderful film directed by Quentin Lawrence. It is rightfully considered one of the most unusual entries in Cushing’s massive body of work.

Virtually the entire film is set inside a small provincial bank. The place is by run the middle-aged methodical perfectionist Harry Fordyce (Cushing) who routinely reminds his staff that absolutely everything ought to be done by the book, even the upcoming Christmas party that they have been trying to arrange. Fordyce isn’t liked, but everyone acknowledges the fact that his work ethic is responsible for the bank’s immaculate reputation.

The unplanned appearance of Colonel Gore Hepburn (Morell), however, catches Fordyce off guard. Immediately after he enters his office Hepburn announces that he represents the bank’s insurance company in London and intends to perform an audit of all existing safety procedures that allow business to be conducted as required by his employer. Then, as Fordyce begins following the audit protocol, Hepburn casually reveals that he is in fact a robber and over the next hour or so he will require his assistance because he will be transferring £97,000 from the bank’s underground safe to his travel bags. Of course Fordyce can choose not to cooperate, but if he does Hepburn’s partners who are presently at his home will have to kill his wife.

The manager wisely chooses to keep his wife and then begins doing what he is asked. However, some of the employees become suspicious and, while not yet fully realizing that the bank is being robbed before their eyes, threaten to collapse Hepburn’s brilliant plan. As tension rises, Fordyce struggles to play the role that his auditor from London has chosen for him.

Cash on Demand is based on a truly special play by Jacques Gillies, but there is no doubt that it is as good as it is because of Cushing and Morell’s brilliant performances. This film really is something of a masterclass that puts the spotlight on the two men and then provides endless opportunities for them to shine in a number of different ways. The dramatic buildup, for instance, occurs only because they are able to infuse it with a very authentic sense of uncertainty and then at the right time pull off numerous surprises, and all of this is accomplished strictly through deceivingly simple interactions. In other words, if at any given moment Cushing and Morell do not match the quality of their performances and their chemistry isn’t right, the entire film simply cannot work.

In addition to being brilliant Cushing’s performance is quite strange. Indeed, his manager is essentially everything that his classic characters aren’t -- easily intimidated, quite transparent, and emotionally brittle. There is a rather large section of the film where Morell’s robber plays with him like a vicious predator would with its prey and it is absolutely fascinating to watch.

Richard Vernon also leaves quite an impression as the manager’s experienced assistant who has learned that it is best not to question the decisions of his boss even when they do not immediately make perfect sense to him. A truly great Hammer production.

*Indicator/Powerhouse Films’ recent release has two versions of the film: a shorter UK Theatrical Cut, which is approximately 67 minutes long, and an extended U.S. Version, which is approximately 80 minutes long.

Cash on Demand Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.66:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Quentin Lawrence's Cash on Demand arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films.

I viewed the UK Cut of the film and thought that it looked lovely in high-definition. Depth, clarity, and fluidity are very pleasing, and the grading is excellent. Density is also great, though there is some room for minor improvement. A few tiny white specks and a couple of blemishes remain, but both are incredibly easy to ignore. (On the longer U.S. Version, however, there appear to be more of them). There are no traces of problematic degraining corrections, but a newer master will surely introduce improvements in exposure and definition. Image stability is very good. My score is 4.25/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

Cash on Demand Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The two versions of the film comes with English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 tracks. Both can also be viewed with optional English SDH subtitles.

The film does not have an elaborate music score and as a result dynamic intensity is limited. However, clarity, stability, and overall balance are excellent. In fact, my guess is that some sort of remastering work was done because there are no traces of age-related anomalies.

Cash on Demand Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

NOTE: All of the supplemental features on this Blu-ray release are perfectly playable on North American Blu-ray players, including the PS3.

• Trailer - vintage trailer for Cash on Demand. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Lois Daine on 'Cash on Demand' - in this new video interview, actress Lois Daine recalls how she was offered to play the flirty cashier in Cash on Demand and discusses the shooting the process. The interview was conducted exclusively for Indicator/Powerhouse Films. In English, not subtitled. (8 min).

• Hammer's Women: Lois Daine - this new video piece focuses on the career of actress Lois Daine. It is narrated by critic and author Becky Booth. The piece was produced exclusively for Indicator/Powerhouse Films. In English, not subtitled. (10 min).

• The Perfect Crime: Inside 'Cash on Demand' - in this new featurette, Hammer expert Jonathan Rigby, cultural historian John J. Johnston, and BFI National Archive curator Josephine Botting discuss the production history of Cash on Demand and highlight some of the film's special qualities. The featurette was produced exclusively for Indicator/Powerhouse Films. In English, not subtitled. (19 min).

• Advertising and Publicity Gallery - a collection of vintage promotional materials for the film.

• Press Materials - a collection of vintage press materials for the film.

• Audio Commentary - in this new audio commentary, Hammer experts and authors David Miller and Jonathan Rigby discuss in great detail Peter Cushing and André Morell's memorable performances in Cash on Demand, the structure of the narrative, Hammer's productions during the early '60s, etc.

• Booklet - 36-page illustrated booklet with a new essay by critic Kim Newman, archival cast and crew interviews and profiles, contemporary reviews, film credits, and technical specs.

Cash on Demand Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Cash on Demand is such a risky film. Peter Cushing and Andre Morell have to be brilliant or the entire film quite simply would not work. I agree with some of the experts that have pointed out that Cushing's performance is rather unusual, but he does a terrific job and looks very convincing as the emotionally brittle bank manager. Wonderful production. This recent release from Indicator/Powerhouse Films is sourced from a nice organic master and is included in the Hammer Volume Two: Criminal Intent four-disc Blu-ray box set. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.