Circumstantial Evidence is a 1952 British second feature ('B')[1] crime film directed by Daniel Birt and starring Rona Anderson, Patrick Holt and Frederick Leister.[2] It was written by Allan MacKinnon.
Plot
Linda Harrison is about to divorce her estranged husband Steve so she can marry another man, Michael Carteret. But Steve has stolen Carteret's love letters to Linda, and tries to blackmail her. Steve is found dead and the evidence points to Carteret as the murderer. Linda sets out to prove his innocence.
Cast
- Rona Anderson as Linda Harrison
- Patrick Holt as Michael Carteret
- John Arnatt as Steve Harrison
- John Warwick as Pete Hanken
- Frederick Leister as Sir Edward Carteret
- Ronald Adam as Sir William Harrison
- June Ashley as Rita Hanken
- Peter Swanwick as Charlie Pott
- Lisa Lee as Gladys Vavasour
- Ballard Berkeley as Inspector Hall
- Ian Fleming as Commander Hewitt
- Ben Williams as Brand
- Leonard White as Det. Sgt. Davey
Production
The film was produced by Phil Brandon for Act Films Ltd.[3] It was made at Shepperton Studios. Art Director Norman G. Arnold designed the sets.
Critical reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "A conventional and unremarkable little detective story whose solution becomes obvious at rather too early a stage in the proceedings.”[4]
Picturegoer wrote: "Meaty and exciting crime melodrama in pocket form .... Rona Anderson is most persuasive as Linda, and Patrick Holt, John Arnatt and Frederick Leister also bring conviction."[5]
Picture Show wrote: "Stimulating murder melodrama with real London backgrounds, skilfully acted, deftly directed, and with an ever-present sense of humour."[6]
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan said: ''Ordinary pocket 'meller'.''[7]
Chibnall and McFarlane in The British 'B' Film call the film "a conventional but well-crafted murder mystery".[1]
References
- ^ a b Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 105. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
- ^ "Circumstantial Evidence". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
- ^ Action! Fifty Years in the Life of a Union. Published: 1983 (UK). Publisher: ACTT. ISBN 0 9508993 0 5. ACT Films Limited - Ralph Bond p81 (producer listed as Phil Brandon) - "There were, of course, far more cinemas than there are today. To give a few examples, Night Was Our Friend secured 1,335 bookings...Circumstantial Evidence 1,568..."
- ^ "Circumstantial Evidence". Monthly Film Bulletin. 19 (216): 156. 1 January 1959 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "Circumstantial Evidence". Picturegoer. 24: 19. 5 November 1952 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "Circumstantial Evidence". Picture Show. 59 (1546): 10. 15 November 1952 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 293. ISBN 0-7134-1874-5.
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