The End of the Road (1954 film)

The End of the Road is a 1954 British drama film directed by Wolf Rilla and starring Finlay Currie, Duncan Lamont and Naomi Chance. It was produced by Group Three Films as a second feature with funding from the NFFC and distributed by British Lion. It was made at Beaconsfield Studios. The film's sets were designed by the art director Michael Stringer.

Plot
A veteran worker at the Jericho Works strongly resists when he has retirement forced upon him by his employers. He says he will retire when he is 90. All he has to show is a small clock as a retirement present which he places on the family mantelpiece.

Mick-Mack lives with his son and his wife, and their young son Barnaby ("Barny").

Mick-Mack takes a job as night watchman at the Jericho Works. Meanwhile, his son is fired for being late to work. The works decide that only Mick-Mack can resolve the troubles they are having in the electroplating section.

Mick-Mack discovers it is drops of honey (from bees in the roof) which are ruining the process.

Cast

 * Finlay Currie as Mick MacAulay, Old 'Mick-Mack'
 * Duncan Lamont as Barney his son
 * Naomi Chance as Molly his son's wife
 * Edward Chapman as Works Manager
 * Hilda Fenemore as Madge the pub landlady
 * George Merritt as Timekeeper
 * Gordon Whiting as Young Kennie
 * David Hannaford as Wee Barny
 * Eugene Leahy as Old Worker
 * Edie Martin as Gloomy Gertie
 * Pauline Winter as Personnel Manager
 * Michael Bird as Builder
 * Anthony Kilshawe as Manager
 * Kenneth Henry as Labour Exchange Clerk
 * Herbert C. Walton as First Old Man
 * Claude Bonser as Second Old Man
 * Sam Kydd as First Postal Clerk
 * Hugh Munro as Second Postal Clerk
 * Bert Simms as Crane Driver
 * John Baker as Foreman
 * Ewen Solon as Policeman
 * Edward Malin as Nightwatchman

Critical reception
The film historians Steve Chibnall and Brian McFarlane note that The End of the Road was "rightly praised" at the time of its release by Kinematograph Weekly as "provocative and purposeful entertainment", and they add that it is "characterised by a real feeling for cramped working-class life and for the gap left when suddenly one is no longer required to be anywhere on a regular basis".