They Never Learn (1956) – Nostalgia Central

WPC Marie Watson (Adrienne Scott) is selected for a dangerous undercover mission to infiltrate a gang of counterfeiters.

To build her criminal credibility, Watson is ordered to spend three months in Holloway Prison. While there, she successfully befriends an inmate named Lil Smith (Jackie Collins, not yet a world-famous novelist), who is a gang moll for the counterfeiters.

Upon their release, Lil introduces Watson to the gang leaders, including Lil’s boyfriend Frankie Strutton (John Blythe) and his associate Plum Duff (Graham Stark).

Watson is accepted into the group and travels with them, even going on a trip to Paris to learn how the gang passes forged currency across Europe.

Watson secretly provides information to Scotland Yard, and the gang eventually discovers her true identity.

Following a police chase through London, Frankie flees to Westminster Cathedral, where he ultimately jumps to his death from a tower to avoid capture.

Directed by Denis Kavanagh and Edwin J. Fancey, the film is regarded as a “quota quickie” – a low-budget film produced quickly to meet British legal requirements for homegrown cinema.

WPC Marie Watson
Adrienne Scott
Lil Smith
Jackie Collins
Frankie Strutton
John Blythe
Plum Duff
Graham Stark
Leon
Michael Partridge
Mickey
John Crowhurst
Dropper
Ken Hayward
Inspector
Diana Chesney
Geoff Roberts
Geoff Thompson
C.I.D.
Brian Goff
Jack Gray
Wardress
Joyce Jeffery

Directors
Edwin J. Fancey
Denis Kavanagh