Hour of Decision | |
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Directed by | C. M. Pennington-Richards |
Written by | Norman Hudis |
Based on | Murder in Mayfair by Frederic Goldsmith |
Produced by | Monty Berman |
Starring | Jeff Morrow Hazel Court Anthony Dawson |
Cinematography | Stanley Pavey |
Edited by | Douglas Myers |
Music by | Stanley Black |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Eros Films Astor Pictures (US) |
Release date |
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Running time | 81 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Hour of Decision is a 1957 British mystery film directed by C. M. Pennington-Richards and starring Jeff Morrow, Hazel Court and Anthony Dawson. [1] It was written by Norman Hudis based on the 1954 novel Murder in Mayfair by Frederic Goldsmith.
The British wife of an American journalist begins receiving letters blackmailing her over a love affair. Suspicion points to her when the blackmailer is found murdered.
The film was shot at Walton Studios with location shooting around London. The film's sets were designed by the art director Arthur Lawson.
Monthly Film Bulletin said: "A hackneyed and lethargically told murder mystery, with a solution more dependent on coincidence than logic. Lionel Jeffries' assured performance as a jaded nightclub proprietor provides the film's most satisfying scenes." [2]
Kine Weekly wrote: "Ingenious and holding who-dunnit. ... The red herrings are neatly manipulated by a competent cast and resourceful director against appropriate London backgrounds, and the twist ending is theatrically effective." [3]
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "mediocre", writing: "Too-leaisurely whodunnit at least hides its villain well." [4]
Leslie Halliwell said: "A familiar type of second feature whodunit, with little about it to spark enthusiasm." [5]
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Whispering Smith Hits London is a 1952 British second feature ('B') mystery film directed by Francis Searle and starring Richard Carlson, Greta Gynt and Herbert Lom. The screenplay was by John Gilling. It was released in the United States by RKO Pictures.
The Gang's All Here is a 1939 British black-and-white comedy-mystery, directed by Thornton Freeland and starring Jack Buchanan and Googie Withers. It was produced by Associated British Picture Corporation and released in the U.S. in 1943 as The Amazing Mr. Forrest.
Death in High Heels is a 1947 British second feature ('B') crime film directed by Lionel Tomlinson and starring Don Stannard, Elsa Tee and Veronica Rose. It was based on the 1941 novel of the same title by Christianna Brand. It was a very early Hammer Films production and was released through Exclusive Films, Hammer's original incarnation.
Kill Her Gently is a 1957 British second feature thriller film directed by Charles Saunders and starring Griffith Jones, Maureen Connell and Marc Lawrence. It was written by Paul Erickson.
The Diamond is a 1954 British film noir crime film directed by Montgomery Tully, and starring Dennis O'Keefe, Margaret Sheridan and Philip Friend. The screenplay was by John C. Higgins, based on the 1952 novel Rich Is the Treasure by Maurice Procter. It was released by United Artists in Britain and in America, where it was known as The Diamond Wizard.
The Scarlet Web is a 1954 British second feature crime film directed by Charles Saunders and starring Griffith Jones, Hazel Court and Zena Marshall. It was written by Doreen Montgomery.
The Hostage is a 1956 British crime film directed by Harold Huth and starring Ron Randell, Mary Parker and John Bailey. It was written by Alfred Shaughnessy,
Counterspy is a 1953 British second feature comedy thriller film directed by Vernon Sewell and starring Dermot Walsh, Hazel Court and Hermione Baddeley. An accountant comes into possession of secret papers sought by both the government and a spy ring.
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