Burnt Evidence

This was one of many B feature films produced between 1951 and 1962 (see IMDb for details) by the ACT - the cinema technicians trade union. The films seem to have in common, a good all British cast, reasonably resourced production values and themes rather off the mainstream, generally centred on the domestic but with an underlying serious work/economic theme. This although ostensibly a (lurid) crime who-dunnit, could well have been titled "The Perils of Self-Employment" - the conclusion makes this abundantly clear. The central character is a modest carpenter with a small but failing business, "too soft" to press for money owing and consequently on the edge of bankruptcy and losing his (improbably rather glamorous and stylish wife, Jane Hilton) to a suave and moneyed rival. The weakness seems to be in the writing/direction - perhaps the emphasis on a serious theme compromised the other elements but it left room for some wit, by no means flat-footed, with the humane detective (Meridith Edwards) and his dim assistant. Surprisingly the screenplay was by Ted Willis who was to become a respected name in TV. Overall it was of a quality that could have been an evening's highlight on the ITV of the day, watched from the sofa whilst eating a "TV dinner". The theme - everyday working life and the domestic economy - would rarely if ever be on the screen again. A 5.5