Dead by Morning

Now I appreciate that the BIG has to negotiate for rights to films it releases on DVD so what persuaded them to invest time and effort into releasing this load of rubbish.The cast is interesting on paper but in reality they don't tell.What on earth is Diana Ford doing in this,shortly before her trip to America to try and do for TOO what Monroe had done for Fox.Can anyone seriously believe that Patrick Holt is her husband.Lovely Courtneidge who always acted as if she had a bad case of st vitus dance.Her husband Jack Gilbert smuggling his way through the film.The plot is virtually non existent and if you thought that you were going to see a serious thriller well you will have to think again.At 65 minutes it feels more like 2 hours.

Since this is film stars Diana Dors the title seems to be a sexy comedy but it's not what you think. Diana Dors is the wife of a mystery writer, Patrick Holt, who is experiencing writer's block. Ms. Dors has rented a cottage for the in the country to help. But their peaceful refuge is invaded by the demanding elderly Miss Tulip who claims she is being stalked and demands they do what they can to make her comfortable in their cottage. When things run to murder and the police arrive, writer husband is hard pressed to investigate the mystery while being demeaned by police inspector Joss Ambler. The real fun is between Dors and brow-beaten constable Jack Hulbert. While the lightweight mystery unfolds, Dors and Hulbert keep a light comic element working. It's not any great shakes, but fun to watch Dors' comic talent shine.

I wrote this after seeing the film on TV and reading the other reviews which i felt were very harsh. The main problem with the film is that it seems to fall between comedy and mystery with not quite enough of either, also the pace is poorly judged with a lot of messing around in the first 90% of the film before the mystery is solved in the last 5 minutes . It reminded me of long ago school homework when you start well but lose interest and put down anything to get it finished. But despite that this is basically a harmless glimpse of a world which is nowadays almost forgotten. There are some good lines, Diana Dors looks gorgeous and Hulbert and Courtneidge are charming in their roles and overall this is pleasantenough way of filling an afternoon.

Obviously designed as a second feature to a cinematic double bill, "Miss Tulip Stays The Night" aka "Dead By Morning" is a static low-budget comedy-mystery, set mostly inside one apartment, with a small cast, and loaded with circular talk to pad out the running time (it feels MUCH longer than its 65 minutes), leading to a rushed resolution. If there is one reason to bother with it, it's pouty Diana Dors, who shows a pleasing knack for comedy; in fact, she's so good that you may wish she had done more comedies in her career and fewer dreary dramas. OK, "Feathers" is sometimes funny as well. ** out of 4.

"You go back to sleep and choke me off in the morning!" That line early on in this awful film made me laugh out loud.

Diana Dors looks lovely in this, although she's the only draw.

Other reviews are spot on about this. The comedy is two decades past its sell by date. The mystery comes across as more Enid Blyton than Agatha Christie.

Some staples of forties British cinema are wheeled in to provide light relief, but do no more than add a cringe aspect for the viewer.

All that said, I still enjoyed this restored uncut gem.

Despite the terrible editing, uninspired screenplay, the awkward pacing and the silly characters, there's still enough nostalgic value remaining to entertain us old folk... and of course... Diana Dors!