THE LIST OF ADRIAN MESSENGER

US, 1963, 97 minutes, Black and white.
George C. Scott, Kirk Douglas, Jacques Roux, Dana Wynter, Herbert Marshall, Clive Brook, Gladys Cooper. Guests: Burt Lancaster, Robert Mitchum, Tony Curtis, Frank Sinatra.
Directed by John Huston.

The List of Adrian Messenger is a very entertaining thriller, directed by John Huston who directed many excellent films over the decades including The Treasure of the Sierra Madre and The African Queen. Critics likened this thriller to his The Maltese Falcon and the parody thriller, Beat The Devil. The strength of the film comes from George C. Scott's central performance and the confrontation with Kirk Douglas (in a number of disguises). There is also a jokey list of guest stars in disguise including Robert Mitchum, Burt Lancaster, Frank Sinatra and Tony Curtis. The emphasis in the film is on style and manner and this makes for enjoyable entertainment ? with themes of murder, justice, revenge. There is a very strong supporting cast including veteran stars Clive Brook, Herbert Marshall and Gladys Cooper.

1. The significance of the title and audience anticipation? The appeal of the classic murder mystery? The stylish nature of polished British murder Mysteries?

2. The importance of black and white photography, the atmosphere of the British aristocracy, manners, country mansions, the hunt etc.? The plot as unfolding within an atmosphere of British tradition?

3. The use of musical themes to illustrate moods, atmosphere and characters? The importance of the guest stars in their particular roles, their disguises? Did this contribute more to the value of the film and its plot and its being worked out? The significance of the end when the stars revealed their identities?

4. The film's initial build-up of the atmosphere of England, the nature of the list, the air disaster and the atmosphere of mass murder, the investigations, the suspense for the revelation of the murderer?

5. The audience's introduction to Brougham, the various disguises, Kirk Douglas in this role, the various murders? How important was the mystery? The build up of the initial deaths, audience involvement in the murders, the mystery, Brougham's identity and his success? The contrast with George C. Scott's portrayal of Gethryn? His character, his role as an investigator, a latter day Sherlock Holmes? His wits, the details of his investigations, his contacts? The dangers that he underwent? Audience identification with him, for searching out the mystery? The contribution of the minor characters and their atmosphere and comedy: the Marquis and his ownership of the manor, Mrs. Karoudjian and her drinking, her information, Max in attendance? Sir Wilfred? The contribution of Lady Jocelyn, an atmosphere of glamour, her relationship with Gethryn? Brougham encountering her and his daring with her at the end? The mounting suspense, the resolution and the explanation about the motives?

10. The introduction of the guest stars and their various contributions e.g. the fortune telling woman, the beggar man etc.? The build-up to the hunt, Brougham's daring, his self-revelation, his greed, his encounter with Lady Jocelyn, the violence of his death?

12. How good an example of the murder mystery genre with the light touch?