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Tiger Bay, released in 1959, is a British crime thriller directed by J. Lee Thompson and starring Hayley Mills, Horst Buchholz, and John Mills. The film takes place in Cardiff, Wales, and revolves around the murder of a nightclub owner, and the unlikely duo of a young girl and a Polish sailor who team up to solve the crime. The story begins when a young girl named Gillie (Hayley Mills) witnesses a murder as she is playing with her friends in the dockyards. The killer, an arrogant and hot-headed nightclub owner named Paul, played by Horst Buchholz, discovers that Gillie has seen him commit the murder and takes her hostage. Gillie is able to escape, but she feels guilty about leaving the sailor to die, and she decides to investigate the murder on her own.

The investigation leads her to a Polish sailor named Korchinsky, played by Horst Buchholz, who has recently arrived in Cardiff. She is convinced that he is the murderer, but he denies any involvement. As she continues to investigate, Gillie and Korchinsky develop a relationship, with Gillie's childish curiosity and innocence contrasting starkly with Korchinsky's world-weariness and cynicism.

As the investigation progresses, the police become involved, with Detective Graham, played by John Mills, taking the lead. Graham is initially skeptical of Gillie's involvement, but he soon comes to realize that she has valuable information about the murder. The investigation culminates in a tense standoff between Paul and the police, with Gillie and Korchinsky caught in the middle.

Tiger Bay is a classic crime thriller that is still revered today for its atmospheric portrayal of post-war Cardiff, as well as its nuanced and complex characters. Hayley Mills, in particular, gives a stunning performance as Gillie, capturing both the innocence and the determination of the young girl.

The film is also notable for its portrayal of a multi-ethnic community, with characters from Poland, Greece, and South Wales all interacting with one another. This was a bold and progressive move at the time, and it is still praised today for its sensitive and nuanced depiction of different cultures.

Overall, Tiger Bay is a gripping and emotionally engaging crime thriller that is still able to captivate audiences today. The strong performances, engaging plot, and innovative approach to multi-ethnic communities make it a standout example of British cinema from the late 1950s.

Tiger Bay is a 1959 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.