| Burnt Evidence | |
| Director: | Daniel Birt |
| Producer: | Ronald Kinnoch |
| Screenplay: | Ted Willis |
| Based On: | Burn the Evidence by Percy Hoskins |
| Starring: | Jane Hylton Duncan Lamont Meredith Edwards Donald Gray |
| Cinematography: | Jo Jago |
| Editing: | W.J. Lewthwaite |
| Studio: | ACT Films |
| Distributor: | Monarch Film Corporation |
| Runtime: | 61 minutes[1] |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Language: | English |
Burnt Evidence is a 1954 British second feature[2] thriller film directed by Daniel Birt and starring Jane Hylton, Duncan Lamont and Donald Gray.[3] It was produced by Ronald Kinnoch for ACT Films.
Diana Taylor is considering leaving her husband, Jack, who has been trying but failing to build his own business as a builder/decorator. Her suitor, Jimmy Thompson, is Jack's army friend. Jack deduces the relationship and, when Jimmy comes to Jack's business to discuss the situation, a fight ensues. A gun is produced and one of them is killed, but a subsequent fire makes it difficult to determine which man has died. While the police search for the survivor, Diana struggles with her feelings.
Shooting took place at Beaconsfield Studios and on location in Hammersmith. The film's sets were designed by art director Ray Simm.
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "A low-budget thriller, with obvious limitations. The story is at once too unlikely and yet too easily anticipated to make for real excitement, and the direction is pedestrian."[4]
Kine Weekly wrote: "Run-of-the-mill mystery melodrama, unfolded in suburbia. It rings the changes on the eternal triangle theme, but lacks both punch and surprise. Interplay of character is, however, neat and takes up much of the slack."[5]
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as “mediocre” and wrote: “Glum, plodding, low-budget thriller.''[6]
Sky Cinema called it a "Relentlessly sombre thriller."[7]