Dual Alibi

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.

The film is a wonderful portrayal of a dark triangle involving identical twins who form an elegant acrobatic circus act and eventually seek revenge on an unfaithful women. They plan a "perfect crime" on which the film turns. I have not seen the film in about 50 years. It used to show up on local TV quite frequently in the 50's but seems to have disappeared and unjustly so. I only hope it still exists? If it is available I do urge it's viewing.

Lom plays the dual role of the twin brothers and this , in itself , is cleverly handled. The O'Henry like ending is affecting and again gives the film a further degree of individuality.

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

Herbert Lom recounts his tale in flashback as to how he has ended up scraping a living by sandwich boarding. He was once part of a headlining trapeze act in a circus owned by Ronald Frankau (Barney) performing in sunny Blackpool. His partner was his twin and his tale is one of tragedy. What happened to the twin?

This film ends on a downbeat note but it is still entertaining thanks to the cast of villains and the central aspect of distinguishing the twins from one another. It is crucial to the plot and keeps you watching. Lom is very good in this dual role and the twins use their similarity to their advantage in a novel twist to a murder charge. I think justice was done.

Phyllis Dexter (Penny) as the bad girl doesn't do any stripping. She should have, though, given that was her real-life business!

In "Dual Alibi", the British actor, Herbert Lom, plays dual roles--the identical French twins, Georges and Jules. And, he's excellent in both parts and the movie is quite the thriller.

When the story begins, one of the de Lisle twins (Lom) has fallen on hard times and is notices by his old boss at the circus. Now this part is a bit muddled...and based on the story that follows there is no way the boss wouldn't have remembered the man immediately....but somehow it was written as if the old boss could barely remember him. In the story, there is ample reason to believe he's remember the de Lisles until the day he died!

The story that follows is a long flashback, showing what led from the de Lisles being among the best trapeze acts in the world to this. It begins with them signing a huge contract with the owner of the circus. Georges is all business but Jules is a bit less so. So, after a crook in the circus learns that Jules has won 1,000,000 fr in a lottery, instead of telling Jules, he has his slimy girlfriend cozy up to Jules...with the hope that they can steal the ticket and cash it in themselves. What's next? Well, it would spoil the film to say more!

The bottom line is that this is a very well written dark suspense film...one that makes you cheer for a killer and wish him the best! Yes, that IS unusual! Combine this with excellent acting and direction, and you have one of the better British suspense films of the era.