House of Blackmail

William Sylvester used to pop up in some many British productions I always thought he was a British actor. This was until I saw him in the US movie, The Lawyer which spun off the television series Petrocelli.

Sylvester plays mysterious hitchhiker Jimmy who comes across fashion photographer Carol Blane. She is on her way to a house to talk to Markham who is blackmailing her brother for a bounced cheque. He demands £5000.

At a cafe, Carol who comes across a report of an escaped convict that matches Jimmy's description persuades him to accompany her for £50. Carol asks Jimmy to play the part of a lawyer.

They both engage with Markham and his associates. The house has a butler who likes to listen in through the keyhole. Later that night Markham is found dead. Both Jimmy and Carol are suspects.

This is an unpretentious murder mystery B movie and a rather effective one as well. There is comedy, mystery and plenty of suspects. Sylvester does well in keeping his motives mysterious.

I think the blackmail angle would had worked better, if Carol's brother was being blackmailed for being gay rather than a bounced cheque.