Criminologist Dyall and his flighty secretary investigates the case of heiress who goes missing after telling her stepfather she plans to marry.
Another early unpolished Hammer film based on a popular radio character. Perhaps more successful than their Dick Barton and PC 49 films, mainly thanks to having a stronger actor in the lead (even if Dyall inexplicably pronounces "gibbet" as "giblet"). Griffith and Lang make the most of their roles, too. The dénouement is nicely done, but it takes a long while getting there. And like all these early Hammers, it never quite transcends its radio origins and becomes an actual film.
Note: Various sources list James Raglan and Bruce Walker as appearing in this film, but they are nowhere to be seen.
-Dave W. |