Dual Alibi

I remember seeing this film some forty years ago. I was still at school and found it curiously absorbing. In fact I could'not stop telling everybody about it for days afterwards. I recall the film creating an atmosphere at once dark and foreboding. There was an understated menace in the air much as in the opening pages of a story by H.P. Lovecraft. The plot was relatively straight forward but with a delicious twist at the end that has been likened to a tale by O. Henry. What carries the film is the sublime performance of Herbert Lom. Now there was an actor who played the archetypal smooth villain of his day. In fact I cannot think of any other actor who so consummately conveyed villainy with such effective "European" sophistication and grace. A role portrayed to perfection in "The Ringer" with Donald Wolfit, "the Golden Salamander" and later, "Northwest Passage" with Kenny More and Lauren Bacall. Shades of Conrad Veidt of an earlier generation. Herbert Lom was a busy actor who appeared in numerous film and theatre productions during the fifties and sixties. Few will remember that he took the lead role when "The King and I" first came to London at Drury Lane (I think) and that he was the natural choice for the Harry Lime role in the radio version of "The Third Man" (circa, 1951). His brooding "European" looks and deep and accented speech were instantly recognised by the audiences of his day and although never a major top-of-the-bill star, was a respected member of any cast (e.g. "and with Herbert Lom as Napoleon") and by todays standards would be considered an A-list celebrity.

Herbert Lom plays twins in this movie. Also acrobats. Also a murderer.

Hired by Ronald Frankau to perform their two-act at Blackpool, the twin-acrobat act is a sensation. When publicist Terence de Marney discovers they have won the grand prize of a million francs in the French national lottery, he sets his girlfriend, Phyllis Dixey, to make up to one of the twins and steals the lottery ticket. When they discover this, they track him down and one of them murders the thief, while the other is performing solo, providing an alibi for the other. But which is it?

It's a gimmick mystery, with a strong noir element: sleazy setting, sleazy characters and some clever camera, provided by split-screen camerawork, and enough character differentiation to offer some good acting. The acrobatic work is offered in long shots, so that the Cromwell Brothers could do the work. This was their only movie appearance.

Herbert Lom, best remembered now for his appearances as Commissioner Dreyfus in the Pink Panther franchise, was born in 1917 and christened Herbert Charles Angelo Kuchacevich ze Schluderpacheru. He made his first movie in 1937 in Czechoslovakie. By 1942 he was in Great Britain, where he played Napoleon, villains in crime dramas, and his favorite role, in THE LADYKILLERS. He appeared in almost a hundred movies, and his last performance was in 2007 on TV's AGATHA CHRISTIE'S MARPLE series. He died a couple of weeks after his 95th birthday.

Dual Alibi is directed by Alfred Travers who also collectively adapts the screenplay with Stephen Clarkson and Vivienne Ades from a story written by Renalt Capes. It stars Herbert Lom, Phyllis Dixey, Terence De Marney and Ronald Frankau. Music is by Stanley Black and cinematography by James Wilson.

Top French trapeze artists, the de Lisle twins (Lom), are hired by a British promoter to go work in Blackpool in the North West of England. Whilst in Blackpool one of the twins falls for an aspiring singer, causing tremors in the brother's relationship. But when news comes through that they have won the French lottery, the brothers unite in their good fortune. However, good fortune is not to last as their world comes crashing down in a ball of treachery, greed, the misfortunes of fate and murder!

Moody monochrome, flashback structure, kilter circus atmosphere, femme fatale and a haunting musical score, welcome to the world of under seen British noir. The low budget is barely noticed as Travers and Wilson skilfully move the film at a good pace whilst draping it in shadows and murk, and the trick photography accomplishment that brings two Herbert Lom's together on screen brilliantly belies that this is a poverty row production.

Lom is excellent in the dual role, giving each twin its own characteristic so the audience is never out of the loop. Yet he also deftly manages to ascertain a deep emotional bond between the two men, so when the darkness comes (the ending for instance is miserably non conformist) we feel the slap of film noir's hand. Around Lom are effective performances from Marney as the repugnant Mike Bergin and Dixey who slinks about with conviction as smouldering fatale Gloria Gregg (AKA: Penny).

Highly recommended for anyone interested in British film noir. 8/10

Truly magnificent performance by Herbert Lom as twins in "Dual Alibi" from 1947.

I always thought Herbert Lom reminded me of Yul Brynner as far as his strong, commanding presence. I just learned he was the original star of King and I in London. So I wasn't far off.

In the beginning of the film, one of the de Lisle twins is noticed by his old boss at the circus, and it's obvious he's down on his luck. Finally he recognizes him and remembers the twins' story. (This is ridiculous since as the story unfolds you'll see there's no way he doesn't know exactly who this guy is.)

The de Lisle twin tells his story in flashback. The de Lisles, George and Jules, had a popular and successful trapeze act. George is frugal and business-like, Jules is always having money problems.

Together they own a ticket to the national lottery. The letter arrives at an old address, where it is opened by a the slimy Mike Bergen.

Bergen convinces his girlfriend to make a big play for Jules and get the ticket away from him. What follows is tragedy.

This is a very dark film with good performances and wonderful trapeze work. Lom is fantastic. Phyllis Dixey plays the femme fatale girlfriend, and Terence de Marney is the thief behind the scheme. The trick photography is fantastic.

Excellent film, well worth seeing.

This was a fine example of a British film, well acted and directed, an excellent storyline and no slip ups or confusion as sometimes arises in plots like this. Herbert Lom gives a spellbinding performance as the twins, and the rest of the cast are marvellous too. Everyone gives 100% and we enjoyed it very much. It should have got some awards. Please do watch it, if you get the chance. you wont be disappointed. A fine cast of actors doing a brilliant job with a first class director. Superb. I had not been aware of this director before and as he wrote the script too, (oh yes, I forgot to say excellent script) he has excelled himself. Why no proper recognition ? I had not even heard of this film before. It was shown at a quarter to three in the morning! The photography was well done and the matching was excellent too. This film should be acknowledged as a classic British film.