| The Man in Black | |
| Director: | Francis Searle |
| Producer: | Anthony Hinds |
| Starring: | Betty Ann Davies Sheila Burrell Sid James Anthony Forwood Valentine Dyall |
| Music: | Rupert Grayson Frank Spencer |
| Cinematography: | Cedric Williams |
| Editing: | John Ferris Ray Pitt |
| Studio: | Hammer Film Productions |
| Distributor: | Exclusive Films |
| Runtime: | 80 minutes |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Language: | English |
The Man in Black is a 1950 British thriller film directed by Francis Searle and starring Betty Ann Davies, Sheila Burrell and Sid James.[1] It was adapted by Hammer Film Productions from the popular British radio series Appointment with Fear featuring Valentine Dyall.[2] Dyall (The "Man in Black" of the radio series) here provides the on screen introduction to the film, as "The Story-Teller."[3]
After the death of her yogi father during a freak "yoga accident," (brought about by his second wife), Joan Clavering returns home to her widowed step-mother Bertha. Clavering has left a good sum of money to Bertha, but the vast bulk of his fortune to Joan - unless, that is, Joan is incapacitated in some way. Bertha conspires with her daughter Janice to drive Joan insane and deprive her of her rightful inheritance.[4] [5] [6]
TV Guide wrote, "The story is drivel, with some unintentionally campy plot developments. It was adapted from a British radio series, perhaps proving that some dramas are better heard than seen."[7]
Fantastic Movie Musings and Ramblings wrote, "One of Hammer's earlier forays into horror. This one is highly recommended."[5]
Leonard Maltin called it a "clever little thriller with some surprises and a rare noncomic role for James."[2]