Murder in Eden

"Murder in Eden" (1961) is a very minor British crime drama about art forgery and art theft, something I've seen done much better, but, admittedly, so many times before that this version of the same ol' same ol' has me stymied as to being creative enough to write a review that's worthy of it. It's not a bad drama at all. At only 63 minutes it doesn't wear itself out, although my wife was getting antsy and wishing it were over so she could watch re-runs of "The Big Bang Theory". That probably says enough. Oh, Norman Rodway's in it, so that makes it worth the watch. It actually stars Ray McAnally and Catherine Feller. Feller's in it far too much, and, I'm very sorry to say, we noticed her overbite far more than her acting. McAnally, who ended up a great character actor in England, is very good, but his charisma in this for some reason tries to hide behind shadows and can't be seen very often. Such ghostly presence isn't conducive to promoting star material. Rather, it hides it like a star in the sky's hidden during the day by the sun. Here, the sun was hidden too. After all, this was black and white, and the two mixed together makes grey - my overall view of the film. One last thing, Yvonne Buckingham's in it. If she'd just traded places with Catherine Feller... But then, coulda, shoulda...it woulda...

British B film with a run time of 61 minutes - let's give it a try. Fortunately, Murder in Eden didn't disappoint, at least not too much. It's actually kind of fun. The cast is all around solid and each plays their parts well, with most giving just the right touch. The story involving the art world, old masters, and forgery is fine, and even provides a little plot twist towards the end. The peppy score, cute little bubble car, all work together to give this little mystery just enough to keep the viewer engaged from beginning to end. I definitely think Murder in Eden is worth checking out if you tend to appreciate British mysteries, even those filmed in Ireland.

One of several British 'B's to be filmed at Ireland's Ardmore studios around the turn of the Sixties, featuring an early leading film role for outstanding character actor Ray McAnally, with estimable contemporary Norman Rodway among the supporting cast. I had the art forger and murderer figured out pretty early on, but was still thrown by one twist toward the end, and it was worth watching. Can only echo the comment that it would have been better had the lovely Yvonne Buckingham been leading lady.

When an acclaimed art critic announces that a famous painting adoring an Irish gallery is a forgery, it's owner "Arnold Woolf" (Mark Singleton) is outraged. Shortly afterwards, said critic has come a cropper in a car accident and it falls to "Insp. Sharkey" (Ray McAnally) to get to the bottom of the accident, a theft and a fraud. Add to the mix the presence of the chic "Geneviève" (Catherine Feller) who potters around in her tiny bubble car and we have just about enough ingredients to make this crime drama entirely... forgettable. Indeed, aside from some rather jaunty accordion music the whole thing is curiously dull. McAnally exudes no screen presence at all (on the basis of this rather lacklustre effort you would never had had him succeed in later life). The story is pretty pedestrian - though there is maybe the merest hint of a twist at the end - and though prettily enough shot leaves little to remember.

Directed by Frenchman Max Varnel son of famed comedy director Marcel Varnel,and featuring French actress Catherine Feller.This is a bottom of the bill thriller which provides few thrills and little action.