Passenger to Tokyo

Scotland Yard travels the world. Japan, South Africa. Just about anywhere as long as library footage exists.

Edward Phillips arrives in Japan for business purposes. However there is a trunk bearing his name but he knows nothing about it. Inside the trunk is a dismembered body.

Is this a clever murder by Philips or was someone else responsible?

Superintendent Ross has been dispatched to Japan. He first needs to identify the dead woman, some recent surgery provides a clue. There is still a lot of legwork to do.

This is a taut thriller as the police follow whatever small leads they have. It ultimately takes them to South Africa where the victim was destined to visit.

The motive owes a little to a previous Scotland Yard story also made in the same year. The Blazing Caravan.

This is a good example of an ingenious combination of studio settings and stock footage to simulate a flight to Tokyo. The story focuses on mysterious cargo, but the real interest lies in how director Ken Hughes sustains interest through astute camera work as well as careful placement of actors in groups.

A British businessman is stopped by the immigration authorities whilst trying to enter Japan, his trunk is searched, and shockingly reveals the body of woman, dead some weeks.

Superintendent Ross flies out to Tokyo to investigate.

It's another thoroughly enjoyable and intriguing mystery, this show was certainly way ahead of its time. Like a well made jigsaw puzzle, the investigation is really pleasing, we see step by step how they identify the body, and subsequently find her killer.

Some really nice sets, it's very well made, that immigration desk looks good, and good to see a number of Eastern actors, not always the case it's fair to say back in the 1950's.

Kenneth Henry is excellent as the good Superintendent, what a truly steadfast actor, such a wonderful, characterful face.

Viewers really did get some good material back in 1954.

8/10.