Account Rendered (1957 film)

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Account Rendered
"Account Rendered" (1957).jpg
Original British quad poster
Directed by Peter Graham Scott
Screenplay byBarbara S. Harper
Based onnovel by Pamela Barrington
Produced byFrancis Edge
Luigi Rovere
John Temple-Smith
Starring Griffith Jones
Ursula Howells
Honor Blackman
Cinematography Walter J. Harvey
Edited byTom Simpson
Production
company
Major Pictures
Distributed by J. Arthur Rank Film Distributors
Release date
  • August 1957 (1957-08)
Running time
59 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Account Rendered is a 1957 British second feature ('B') [1] crime film directed by Peter Graham Scott and starring Griffith Jones, Ursula Howells and Honor Blackman. [2] It was written by Barbara S. Harper based on Pamela Barrington's 1953 novel of the same name. It was released by the Rank Organisation.

Contents

Premise

When wealthy Lucille Ainsworth is found strangled on Hampstead Heath, Detective Inspector Marshall is put on the case. Lucille's husband Robert suspected her of being unfaithful, and had been following her. But he is just one of many suspects with a motive for murder.

Cast

Production

The film's sets were designed by Norman G. Arnold.

Critical reception

Kine Weekly wrote: "Its principal characters are not entitled to much sympathy and the dialogue is somewhat stilted, but a twist ending and slightly above average staging tip the scales in its favour. ... The picture does not put the smart set or bankers in a favourable light, but has just enough surface action to satisfy the unexacting "ninepennies". Griffith Jones, Ursula Howells, Honor Blackman, Carl Bernard and John Van Eyssen let few opportunities slide in the leading roles, and the same goes for the bit part players. Its interior settings are elegant, and some suspense is worked into the climax." [3]

Picturegoer wrote: "Who pays the piper when a banker's wife goes on the spree? Find out in this knife-edged thriller that notches up another win for the best British "Bs." There's a mint of crisp and crackling clues, neatly stacked to keep you guessing, backed by direction with authority and dash." [4]

The Radio Times Guide to Films gave the film 1/5 stars, writing: "This substandard B-movie is notable only for an early screen appearance by Honor Blackman." [5]

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "average", writing: "efficient thriller." [6]

Leslie Halliwell said: "Adequate lower-billed suspenser." [7]

Britmovie called it an "efficient B-movie murder mystery based on Pamela Barrington’s 1953 pulp novel and directed by the tireless Peter Graham Scott. The plot is fairly straightforward but entertainingly interwoven by screenwriter Barbara S. Harper, and cinematographer Walter J. Harvey brings an air of tension to proceedings. The cast is entirely competent but a young pre-Bond Honor Blackman shines through." [8]

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References

  1. ↑ Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 139. ISBN   978-1-8445-7319-6.
  2. ↑ "Account Rendered". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  3. ↑ "Account Rendered". Kine Weekly . 484 (2610): 16. 22 August 1957 – via ProQuest.
  4. ↑ "Account Rendered" . Picturegoer . Vol. 34. 8 September 1957. p. 17 – via ProQuest.
  5. ↑ Radio Times Guide to Films (18th ed.). London: Immediate Media Company. 2017. p. 11. ISBN   9780992936440.
  6. ↑ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 275. ISBN   0-7134-1874-5.
  7. ↑ Halliwell, Leslie (1989). Halliwell's Film Guide (7th ed.). London: Paladin. p. 5. ISBN   0586088946.
  8. ↑ "Account Rendered". britmovie.co.uk. Archived from the original on 30 June 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
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