All too often, films are made for dumb people or the lazy or teenagers. Plot twists, intelligent writing and acting seem a lot less important in these films and this is my biggest complaint about American films today. That said, I liked this film because it DID feature all three of these seemingly forgotten elements. Plus, when some knucklehead says that older films are no good, point this one out as an example of a very good older film--one for audiences who don't minding thinking.
The film begins with the unfortunate execution of an innocent man. Naturally, instead of learning from this, the police begin with recriminations and the police superintendent (Sydney Greenstreet) is sacked--even though you could easily see why the dead man's story seemed false. In his place, the weaselly George Coulouris now ran the police department and it was obvious that he was a real toad.
Shortly after this, three friends leave the now retired Greenstreet's flat after having a get together that is disrupted by an argument. The next morning, one of the men (who happens to live across the street) is found murdered. The new superintendent goes about investigating the case all wrong--blindly lashing out for suspects in a very haphazard manner. At the same time, Greenstreet on his own begins looking into the matter as well.
When the film all comes together at the end, why the man was murdered as well as who and how were all solved incorrectly (naturally) by Coulouris. So, it's up to Greenstreet to work quickly to uncover the real why, who and how in order to save a man from hanging.
The film excels with lots of red herrings, twists and intelligent dialog. While not the best of the mysteries of the era, it sure is close and is well worth seeing. They just don't make 'em like they used to....too bad.
The film begins with the unfortunate execution of an innocent man. Naturally, instead of learning from this, the police begin with recriminations and the police superintendent (Sydney Greenstreet) is sacked--even though you could easily see why the dead man's story seemed false. In his place, the weaselly George Coulouris now ran the police department and it was obvious that he was a real toad.
Shortly after this, three friends leave the now retired Greenstreet's flat after having a get together that is disrupted by an argument. The next morning, one of the men (who happens to live across the street) is found murdered. The new superintendent goes about investigating the case all wrong--blindly lashing out for suspects in a very haphazard manner. At the same time, Greenstreet on his own begins looking into the matter as well.
When the film all comes together at the end, why the man was murdered as well as who and how were all solved incorrectly (naturally) by Coulouris. So, it's up to Greenstreet to work quickly to uncover the real why, who and how in order to save a man from hanging.
The film excels with lots of red herrings, twists and intelligent dialog. While not the best of the mysteries of the era, it sure is close and is well worth seeing. They just don't make 'em like they used to....too bad.