Cast James Kenney as Roy Walsh Joan Collins as Rene Collins Betty Ann Davies as Elsie Walsh Robert Ayres as Bob Stevens Hermione Baddeley as Mrs. Collins Hermione Gingold as Queenie Nancy Roberts as Gran Walsh Laurence Naismith as Inspector Donaldson Ian Whittaker as Alfie Collins Stanley Escane as Pete Michael McKeag as Brian Sean Lynch as Darky Johnny Briggs as Skinny Johnson Edward Evans as Sergeant Woods Cameron Hall as Mr. Beverley Sid James as Police Sergeant Frederick Piper as Mr Easter Anthony Oliver as Doctor Arthur Howard as Registrar (uncredited) Toke Townley as Mr. 'Smith (uncredited) Walter Hudd as Magistrate (uncredited) Production The film was based on a play, "Master Crook" by Bruce Walker which had been originally titled "Cosh Boy". It debuted at the Embassy in 1951 starring James Kenney.The Spectator said "its rough, crude taste is shockingly welcome" and praised the third act for its "highly unpleasant, undeniably effective, melodramatic tension." Variety called it "a strong piece of melodrama." Joan Collins called it "a shop girl’s melodrama and the public loved it. I enjoyed working with Jimmy and all the other young actors. The director, Lewis Gilbert, was adorable to me, and good to work with. " Reception Cosh Boy has also been named The Tough Guy, or The Slasher. It was called The Slasher in America because they were unfamiliar with the term "cosh". It was among the first British films to receive the new X certificate. It was given a Certificate rating of 16 in Norway (1953), and banned in Sweden. The film's release coincided with the trial of Derek Bentley and some media linked the film to Bentley's crimes. "Today you'd show it to 10 year olds", Lewis Gilbert commented in 2000. The film was banned in Birmingham. It was also refused permission to be shown in Australia. Critical Variety said the film was "bound to attract undue controversy" wherever it was screened and felt American audiences would have trouble understanding the accents. The Monthly Film Bulletin said the film "can justly be accused of sensationalism. The characters are all stereotypes and in no way arouse the warmth of pity or indignation.... this film may provide plenty of ammunition to those who blame the screen for the incidence of juvenile delinquency. The awfulness of the crimes committed by the young thugs in the film is in no way emphasised and the excitement of