23 PACES TO BAKER STREET

US, 1956, 103 minutes, Colour.
Van Johnson, Vera Miles, Cecil Parker, Patricia Laffan, Maurice Denham, Estelle Winwood, Liam Redmond. Directed by Henry Hathaway.

23 Paces to Baker Street is an interesting and enjoyable murder mystery. It was written for the screen by novelist Nigel Balchin and adapted from a novel by Philip Mac Donald. It is a British- American coproduction with Van Johnson, amiably persuasive in the lead. There is excellent support from an English cast including Cecil Parker and Maurice Denham.

The film is set in the 1950s, the hero is a blind playwright who overhears information about a crime. The atmosphere of London and the fog and the evocation of Sherlock Holmes with the title, puts the film in the Sherlock Holmes tradition. The film was directed by veteran Henry Hathaway.

1. An enjoyable and engaging thriller? Nigel Balchin and Philip Mac Donald? The evocation of Baker Street? The '50s?

2. The use of Cinemascope, English locations? The action, suspense, the musical score? The international cast?

3. Philip and his play, his dictating, blind, bitterness? Reliance on Bob? The break with Jean and her arrival? Going to the pub and the encounter with the barmaid? His listening, the sinister words, the gaps? His returning home and taping the conversation? Playing to the Inspector? Engaging Jean's and Bob's help? The phone calls to identify the piers? The visit to the lady, the information about Janet Murch? The visit to the Nanny company? Miss MacDonald's arrival and interview, the perfume? Bob following her? The placing of the advertisement, Janet Murch's phone call, the mock phone call and the information to Mr Evans? The false Mr Murch and his coming to the pub, Philip's near to death, the rescue by Bob? The information about the ship? The arrival, the Argentinians? The finding of the invalid's chair? His return home, the confrontation with Mr Evans? Detection, blindness, bitterness, action? Future?

4. The accidental hearing of the information, Mr Evans, the clues (and the screenplay concealing Mr Evans' identity from the audience)? The company, Miss Mac Donald, Janet Murch's murder, the murderer and his attempt on Philip? The final confrontation?

5. Jean as secretary, her devotion to Philip, coming to England, helping out, going to the company, the dangers, the reconciliation with Philip?

6. Bob and Cecil Parker's inimitable English style? Secretary, help, the comedy of following Miss Mac Donald, his cold, rescuing Philip, the end?

7. The Inspector, the English police and their reticence, caution? In action?

8. Mr Evans and Miss MacDonald? The build-up to the crime, the group and their work together, the murder of Janet Murch, the hiring of the murderer to kill Philip, the final confrontation?

9. Clues, suspense, concern?