SIGNPOST TO MURDER

US, 1964, 75 minutes, Black and white.
Stuart Whitman, Joanne Woodward, Edward Mulhare, Alan Napier.
Directed by George Englund.

Signpost to Murder is a very brief thriller, quite effective in its way. Filmed in black and white, it has Stuart Whitman as a man escaped from a mental institution who hides out, threatening a young woman played by Joanne Woodward. British Edward Mulhare plays the doctor, Alan Napier the vicar.

The film was directed by producer George Englund who also made a number of interesting films including The Ugly American and A Christmas to Remember. As a curiosity item it can be added that the film was remade in 1969 in Hindi as Ittefaq.

1. The significance of the title? Did it offer a clue to the solution and the themes?

2. The structure of murder mysteries? Why do they appeal to audiences? The nature of the puzzle? Were enough clues given, the villain too evident?

3. How did the film rely on the audience reaction to murders, to madness, to escape, terrorizing, the need for survival, betrayal? were these ingredients well organised in this murder mystery?

4. The initial emphasis on the asylum, opening up the asylum life, the use of the wall, the warders and doctors, the need for getting out? The nature of life, Alex Forrester? The good side, the need to get out?

5. How was this well contrasted with the village? Its look, the role of the police, the people passing by the asylum, the vicar and his wife?

6. Did this film develop its characters well? Or were they merely for the murder mystery?

7. How much insight into the character of Alex Forrester? Initial impressions, his relationship with the doctor, the explanation of his background and type? His fear and suffering? Audience reaction to his violence and escape? His gentleness with Molly? Audience response when they discovered he had been used? The effect of the whole experience on him? What was he left with at the end?

8. The initial response to the doctor? How plausible and ernest? His relationship with Alex? The clues in his visiting Holly? Audience response to the ingenious set-up? The plan? His madness and Molly's betrayal of him at the end ( giving doctors a bad name? )?

9. Molly as heroine? The first sight of her in the swimming costume? The ultimate discovery how contrived this was? Her ability in acting the part? Leading Alex on? The nature of the truth? The reaction of all the events on Molly? The person of Alex changing her theoretical plans? Why did she kill herself?

10. Comment on the minor characters and their contribution to the atmosphere of the film and its themes. The doctors and their discussion about paroles and cures? The police and their investigations?

11. How well explored in a murder mystery were the basic themes of greed, love, lust, selfishness, power over others, poor use of others?