A print originally screened on Channel 4, in the days when they did risky and great things like that, with a good score by Paul Zaza.
This still works very well, has a wonderful fluidity and early evidence of the Master at work, just through different camera set ups and editing. And of course some of those bravura tricks like the glass floor and the quasi-religious almost-lynching ending, and a notable love scene.
Begins exactly the same way Frenzy does forty-five years later - a woman's dead body found by a group of people on the Embankment. Mysterious Ivor Novello rents a room nearby at the home of Marie Ault, Arthur Chesney and their daughter June Tripp (good; billed actually just as 'June'). Her boyfriend, also a detective, Malcolm Keen, become suspicious.. then jealous. Based on a novel by Belloc Lowndes, adapted by Eliot Stannard.
I wondered if Chesney was Edmund Gwenn at one point...'No, too old'. In fact he's his older brother!
An overhead shot of the mother descending the stairs is almost identical to one in Psycho.
Nicely photographed by Baron Ventimiglia in the German Expressionist style. Alma is credited as assistant director. Interesting designs of titles as well. C Wilfred Arnold designed the huge house sets.
Missed Hitch in room full of journalsist. Thought I saw him in mob at end - he bother confirmed and denied it was him.
Those baroque doors in the ball flashback...
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