Hour of Decision (film) explained

Hour of Decision
Director:C. M. Pennington-Richards
Producer:Monty Berman
Starring:Jeff Morrow
Hazel Court
Anthony Dawson
Music:Stanley Black
Cinematography:Stanley Pavey
Editing:Douglas Myers
Studio:Tempean Films
Distributor:Eros Films
Astor Pictures (US)
Runtime: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 is based on the 1954 novel Murder in Mayfair by Frederic Goldsmith.

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]

References

  1. Web site: Hour of Decision . 14 November 2023 . British Film Institute Collections Search.
  2. 1957 . Hour of Decision . . 24 . 276 . 72 . ProQuest.
  3. 25 April 1957 . Hour of Decision . . 480 . 2593 . 18 . ProQuest.
  4. Book: Quinlan, David . British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 . . 1984 . 0-7134-1874-5 . London . 324.
  5. Book: Halliwell, Leslie . Halliwell's Film Guide . Paladin . 1989 . 0586088946 . 7th . London . 483.

External links