Hour of Decision (film)

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Hour of Decision
Hour of Decision film poster (1957).png
Theatrical release poster
Directed by C. M. Pennington-Richards
Written by Norman Hudis
Based onMurder 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
  • 27 May 1957 (1957-05-27)
Running time
81 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

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 is based on the 1954 novel Murder in Mayfair by Frederic Goldsmith.

Contents

Plot

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.

Cast

Production

The film was shot at Walton Studios with location shooting around London. The film's sets were designed by the art director Arthur Lawson.

Critical response

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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References

  1. "Hour of Decision". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  2. "Hour of Decision". Monthly Film Bulletin . 24 (276): 72. 1957 via ProQuest.
  3. "Hour of Decision". Kine Weekly . 480 (2593): 18. 25 April 1957 via ProQuest.
  4. Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 324. ISBN   0-7134-1874-5.
  5. Halliwell, Leslie (1989). Halliwell's Film Guide (7th ed.). London: Paladin. p. 483. ISBN   0586088946.