When a film's directed by Bernard Vorhaus you can usually be sure you'll get an entertaining, well made picture. This is no exception - it's as good as any modern murder mystery but with lashings of 1930s atmosphere.
You will be pleasantly surprised how intelligent the story is, how well rounded the characters are and how naturalistic the acting is. Bernard Vorhaus was usually confined to making quota quickies for Julius Hagen's "poverty row" Twickenham Studios but he made this one at British International Pictures so we're allowed to see what he could do with a proper budget with proper actors and proper sets. The result is like BIP have opened a bottle of champagne that's been shaken for years at Twickenham - it's an explosion of pent up talent. The cinematography is sumptuous and innovative as well. The tightly edited series of ever closer close-ups during the visiting hour scene is particularly impressive.
The luxury of not making a quota quickie enabled Vorhaus to carefully compose each scene not just to look good but to contribute to the narrative. Each scene has its own mood and their contrast keeps this interesting. Especially for the gentlemen, he certainly devoted considerable time to ensure that Sally Blane looks absolutely amazing in every shot. From her introduction to us, hiding naked behind a bush to her very animated (in other words, very bouncy) running up the hill, she is the epitome of pre-code sexiness. But like her more famous sister, she's not just a (very) pretty face. This might be her best picture. With good writing and a first class director, her performance is - like everyone else's, realistic and engaging.
From the synopsis you might think that this is sort of Father Brown type thing but don't be fooled. This has much more depth, you could watch this several times and take something new from it each time. Yes, it's a murder mystery but it also pulls away the idyllic veneer bubble of sunshine which we imagine enrobes rural English life. Interspersed within its gentle-paced cosiness is a subversive streak of cynicism which adds another layer into this surprisingly entertaining slice of 1930s life.
