| Meet Simon Cherry | |
| Director: | Godfrey Grayson |
| Producer: | Anthony Hinds |
| Cinematography: | Cedric Williams |
| Editing: | Ray Pitt |
| Studio: | Hammer Films |
| Distributor: | Exclusive Films (UK) |
| Runtime: | 67 minutes |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
Meet Simon Cherry is a 1949 British second feature ('B')[1] mystery film directed by Godfrey Grayson and starring Hugh Moxey.[2] The screenplay was by Grayson and A. R. Rawlinson based on the BBC radio series Meet the Rev by Gale Pedrick, featuring the crime solving cleric.[3] [4]
When the Rev. Simon Cherry sets off for a much needed holiday, his car breaks down and he is forced to stay overnight in a manor house belonging to Lady Harling. The following morning, the body of Lady Harling's invalid daughter is discovered, apparently murdered, and the Rev must bring his crime solving skills to the case.
Picturegoer wrote: "The story ... is conventional enough but it is treated without hysterics. Yet it manages to put over quite a reasonable thrill. The acting of the cast as a whole is quite competent."[5]
Picture Show wrote: "It is neatly directed, with the accent on suspense and character rather than noise and speed, and excellently acted."[6]
The Radio Times gave the film one out of five stars, writing: "Hugh Moxey made his screen debut in a feeble story."[7]
Sky Movies gave the film two out of five stars, noting a "a brisk, no-nonsense film version of one of Gale Pedrick's popular stories."[8]
TV Guide called it "competent enough."[9]
Leslie Halliwell said: "Elementary programme filler from a radio story."[10]
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "average", calling it a "servicable, no-frills version of popular radio serial."[11]