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Learn about the history behind our documentary film archive from the 1940s.
Routine Job
About the film
The Flying Squad of New Scotland Yard works to solve the mystery of some stolen crates of tea.
Details
- Release year - 1946
- Director - Gilbert Gunn
- Production company - Merlin Films
- Screenplay - Ralph Straus
- Cinematographer - H.N. Edwell
- Composer - Max Saunders
- Editor - Frank Clarke
- Sound recording - John Woodiwiss
- Performers - John Walsh (Detective Sergeant), Paddy Doyle (Detective Sergeant), Owen Phillips (Detective Constable), with other members of the Criminal Investigation Department, New Scotland Yard, and the Uniformed Branch
- Music played by - The London Symphony Orchestra
- Conducted by - Dr Hubert Clifford
- Running time (minutes) - 21 mins 20 secs
Original description
A story of Scotland Yard
'The film tells the story of the patient tracing, and final capture of motor thieves. The methods used by Scotland Yard are shown in some detail.'
(Films of Britain - British Council Film Department Catalogue - 1946)
Did you know?
- The Metropolitan Police were based at the buildings featured in Routine Job from around 1900 to 1967, whereupon it moved its headquarters to the current site near St James’s Park. Ironically, it moved again in 2015 to occupy the building adjacent to its 1940s headquarters.
- The tea stolen in the film is said to belong to the Ministry of Food, and would have been rations — though the war was likely over by the time this film was made in 1945, rationing continued until 1954.
All films are subject to the Creative Commons licence guidelines.
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