The Squeeze (1977 film)

The Squeeze is a 1977 British gangster thriller, directed by Michael Apted, based on a novel by Bill James (under the pseudonym, "David Craig").^[1] The screenplay was written by Minder creator Leon Griffiths.

Largely neglected, the production headlines a major cast made up of American actor Stacy Keach, and British actors Edward Fox and David Hemmings. Irish actor Stephen Boyd was also featured in a major (and final) role as a gangster.

The Sex Pistols guitarist, Steve Jones accidentally became an extra in 'The Squeeze'.

Cast

• Stacy Keach as Jim Naboth
• David Hemmings as Keith
• Edward Fox as Foreman
• Stephen Boyd as Vic
• Carol White as Jill
• Freddie Starr as Teddy
• Hilary Gasson as Barbara
• Rod Beacham as Dr. Jenkins
• Stewart Harwood as Des
• Alan Ford as Taff
• Roy Marsden as Barry
• Leon Greene as Commissionaire
• Lucinda Duckett as Sharon
• Alison Portes as Christine
• Marjie Lawrence as Beryl
• Steve Jones extra

Production

To create realism in the film, the producers of The Squeeze enlisted an ex-gangster called Bob Ramsey to act as a contact between the film unit and the local underworld in order to cut down on harassment and keep everybody unharmed and happy. This was due to location shooting taking place in rather undesirable areas where the criminals were.

Local people in the area were hired as extras. Sex Pistols Steve Jones is a notable example.

Reception

The Squeeze is now considered a forgotten crime masterpiece that gets mentioned in books on British cinema of the 1970s but usually gets overlooked in the light of Get Carter (1971) & The Long Good Friday (1981).

On its release tabloid paper The News of The World called The Squeeze, "A nail-biting thriller...".

References

External links

• The Squeeze on IMDb
• Ninnis, John (21 March 2013). "The Squeeze Film Release: March 20th 1977, Film Review, Magazine ad,,Video Covers & Trailer".