A Matter of Murder

A MATTER OF MURDER is a murky potboiler of crime, featuring a shocking opening attack sequence which, although it takes place off screen, delivers some masterful editing from future Hammer great John Gilling. What follows is something of a wronged man story, as our protagonist finds himself accused of a murder he didn't commit and trying to evade the investigations of the local police. It's a very cheap and creaky production in which not a great deal happens from beginning to end, although I suppose fans of the era will enjoy seeing John Le Mesurier in a rare villainous performance. The ending picks things up a bit but overall this is strictly middling.

Bank clerk called Geoffrey Dent (John Barry) steals money from his bank on behalf of his girlfriend Laura Wilson. She claims it is needed to pay off a blackmailer.

She is really working for a gangster called Ginter (John Le Mesurier.) Dent has been scammed, it is a trap. Laura tries to doublecross Ginter and take the money herself. It does not end well for her.

Ginter attempts to killer but Dent becomes the suspect as he finds her injured body.

Dent escapes the police and hides out in Cheltenham. It is not only the police he has to fear. Ginter and his goons are on to him as well.

This is a run of the mill B movie. Very low budget and a bot creaky. The main interest is John Le Mesurier slumming it as a gangster without his posh urbane accent.

The ending might be deemed to be shocking but it is Hays code compliant.