The Saint's Return (released in the US as The Saint's Girl Friday) is a British crime thriller film from 1953, produced by Hammer Film Productions in London. It premiered in London under the original title on 12 October 1953 and was distributed in the UK by Hammer Films own distribution company, Exclusive Films. It was released in the US by RKO under the US title on 15 April 1954. The Saint's Return saw Louis Hayward, who had been the first actor to play Simon Templar in The Saint in New York in 1938, fifteen years earlier, return to the role one last time. Plot A female friend asks the Saint for help and ends up dead. The Saint sets about investigating and discovers the involvement of the River Mob, a gangster organisation involved with a gambling barge. The Saint is helped by Carol Denby, who is being used by the gangster. Cast Louis Hayward - Simon Templar/The Saint Naomi Chance - Carol Denby Sydney Tafler - Max Lennar Charles Victor - Chief Insp. Claud Teal Jane Carr - Kate Finch Harold Lang - Jarvis William Russell - Keith Merton (as Russell Enoch) Diana Dors - The Blonde in Lennar's Apartment Fred Johnson - Irish Cassidy Thomas Gallagher - Hoppy, his valet Russell Napier - Col. Stafford Sam Kydd - Barkley (Joe Podd) Ian Fleming as Lord Merton Production Although based upon Charteris' character, the film was an original work by British screenwriter Allan MacKinnon and not based directly on any of Charteris' stories. Charteris, however, had a percentage interest in the film. It is the first filmed Saint production to feature the character of Hoppy Uniatz, Templar's assistant in the 1940s-era Saint books. Percy Herbert later played the character in at least one episode of the 1960s TV series. Hayward's casting was announced in January 1953. He was originally going to England to make No Escape but that film was actually made in Hollywood. It was Hayward's first film in England since The Lady and the Bandit. In March 1953 as filming was being completed the title was changed from The Saint's Queen to The Saint's Return. It was the second film Dors made for Hammer after The Last Page. In September 1953 producer Julian Lesser had signed Dors to make two more movies. Reception Critical reception The Los Angeles Times said it had "unusually good suspense elements with Hayward