THE ADVENTURES OF DUSTY BATES (1947) - colourised

Dusty Bates is a 1947 British, Technicolor, children's serial, directed by Darrell Catling and starring Ronald Shiner as 'Squeaky' Watts and Anthony Newley in the title role. It was produced by Gaumont-British Instructional and Children's Entertainment Films. The film was also presented by the J. Arthur Rank Organisation. The story was filmed in five untitled parts. The film score was created by Jack Beaver.

This extremely rare, well-produced, 1947 cliffhanger for "children of all ages" features the film debut of future superstar Anthony Newley. The following year he would gain fame for his role as the Artful Dodger in David Lean's classic Oliver Twist. As an adult, he achieved success as a composer, winning the 1963 Grammy for "What Kind of Fool Am I," and composing hit songs including "Goldfinger" and "Candyman." The Adventures Of Dusty Bates also features Bernard Lee, best remembered as "M" in numerous James Bond features.
Runaway orphan "Dusty Bates" is taken in by Captain Ford and his wife. He joins the Ford children, Gill and David, in forming a secret society, "the Silent Three," dedicated to solving mysteries and fighting crime. The kids find themselves deep in intrigue when Dusty observes jewel smugglers aboard Captain Fords' ship blackmailing his own uncle Hank into helping them. The children must find a way to help Dusty's uncle, without getting themselves killed by the desperate outlaw gang.
CAST:
Billie Brooks Gill Ford
Anthony Newley Dusty Bates (as Tony Newley)
Michael McKeag David Ford
Grace Arnold Mrs. Ford
Bernard Lee Captain Ford
Dennis Harkin Stark
Ralph Truman Merryvale
John Longden Tod Jenkins
Tony Arpino Walrus
Ronald Shiner 'Squeaky' Watts
Wally Patch Uncle Hank Miller
Frank Atkinson Worker at Gas Works (uncredited)
Andreas Malandrinos Captain (uncredited)
John Newland Insp. White (uncredited)
Desmond Roberts Ginger Green (uncredited)