Payroll (film)

Plot

Four crooks (Johnny Mellors, Monty, Blackie and Bert) plan and execute a robbery on a payroll van, using the inside knowledge of Dennis Pearson, who works as an accountant at the firm concerned. Pearson is under pressure to support his wife Katie (Françoise Prévost) who demands a higher standard of living. However, the van driver, Harry Parker, is killed during the heist, whilst Bert is fatally wounded by Parker's colleague Frank Moore. Nevertheless, the gang manage to get away with £100,000.

Having found out that Pearson was the 'inside man', Parker's widow Jackie (Billie Whitelaw) starts posting threatening letters to him. Katie in the meantime has become involved with Johnny, hoping to get some of the money for herself. As the gang start to argue amongst themselves, they are pursued by both Katie and Jackie. The climax takes place in Norfolk, with Johnny and Katie double-crossing each other and Jackie tracking Johnny in her bid for revenge.

Production and release

The film's working title was I Promise to Pay and much of it was shot on location in and around Gateshead and Newcastle upon Tyne, an unusual procedure at the time. Other scenes were shot in Rugby and Southwold, and after location work was complete the film began studio shooting at Beaconsfield Studios on 10 October 1960. The film opened at the Plaza cinema in London's West End on 20 April 1961 and went into general release in the UK on 21 May 1961.

Theme music

The theme music, by Reg Owen and His Orchestra, was issued as a single on the Palette label (PG.9013)

The song "It Happens Every Day" sung in a nightclub scene in the film by Eddie Ellis was composed by Tony Osborne and Norman Newell and released as a 45 rpm single on the Parlophone label (R. 4749).