Don't Talk to Strange Men

Christine Gregg is really quite effective in this short drama. Her character "Jean" works part-time in the local pub then hops the last bus home from the phone box on the corner. One night, it rings - she answers it - and is soon captivated by the charming voice of the man at the other end. Soon, she becomes addicted to his calls and as we discover, simultaneously, that young girls are being lured by a mysterious attacker, we begin to suspect that she is being lined up as his next victim. Fortunately for her, she confides her newfound infatuation in her far more grown up younger sister "Ann" (Janina Faye) who warns her of the dangers and, when push comes to shove - shows considerable maturity. Watching this almost 60 years after it was made, it still has a certain menace to it and Pat Jackson manages to pack quite a lot into an hour. It's easy to sit in judgement on the irresponsibility and naivety of the young girl (and her family) as depicted here, but it still resonates well in a time when phones are such more prevalent, much less public - and children every bit as susceptible to charms and dreamy love.