Lively, entertaining reviews of, and essays on, old and newer films and everything relating to them, written by professional author William Schoell.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

THE SECRET PARTNER


THE SECRET PARTNER (1961). Director: Basil Dearden.

John Brent (Stewart Granger) isn't having a good year. His wife has left him because she thinks he's spending money on another dame; his dentist is blackmailing him for some unknown malfeasance; and then he's framed for robbery to boot. Bernard Lee ("M" of the 007 films) is the investigator on the case, hoping to leave a clean slate before he retires. The oddly named Haya Harareet is Nicole, Brent's wife. The picture is smooth and reasonably absorbing, if not entirely convincing. At one point a masked figure shows up to manipulate some characters, and he reminds one of a villain in a cliffhanger serial or comic book. The twists may work for some viewers. Granger is professional but perhaps a little too slick.

Verdict: Who was that masked man? **.

No comments: