Strangler's Web

Although The Edgar Wallace Mysteries were essentially B movie features. Strangler's Web was a strong entry.

An open and shut case that becomes convoluted.

A courting couple and a policeman hear a scream and find a murdered woman, Norma Brent. Her long term boyfriend John Vichelski is next to her and is immediately arrested.

Brent was a middle aged good time girl. A former actress who once appeared with the stars. Now she was over the hill but looking forward to some kind of a mysterious inheritance.

It seems Vichelski killed her after getting into a heated argument with her. Brent was seeing another man, a charming older accountant.

Lewis Preston is the solicitor who takes his case. He has acted for Vichelski before and doggedly pursues the case. He finds out that the accountant is a bit of a con man.

Brent was once involved with a former matinee idol who suddenly retired from acting after being disfigured in an accident. Preston visits him who lives in a big old house with his abrupt niece.

It is a story of an illegitimate child, bigamy and Vichelski being the fall guy. Someone even sends money anonymously to help with Vichelski's defence costs.

It is also a story about Preston. At first he looks like a man who is hopelessly lost as Vichelski.

In the opening scenes, Preston's wife wakes him from his drunken stupor. She tells him that she is leaving him and shows him the bruises that he inflicted on her.

Preston somehow manages to get in shape to investigate the case and surprisingly for these type of thrillers. Preston gets on well with Inspector Murray who is handling the case.

There is a hint of swinging sixties about this. Preston goes to a London disco where everyone talks and acts in a hip and happening way. It all looks a bit silly now.