MOMENT OF INDISCRETION
UK, 1958, 71 minutes, Black-and-white.
Ronald Howard, Lana Morris, John Van Eyssen.
Directed by Max Varnel.
This is a modestly brief and entertaining murder mystery. However, interest is really in the investigation, of the police and of the husband of the woman accused.
The film opens with a court case and the point made about moments of indiscretion which do not diminish guilt. We realise that this will be important, especially for the wife of the lawyer who is compromised after witnessing the death of a woman at a venue that she wants to conceal.
The police pursue the various clues. The lawyer also takes things into his own hands, tracking down a false witness, threatening her with perjury, finally confronting the murderer – though the fight scene is not particularly well staged.
Ronald Howard (son of actor Leslie Howard) is the lawyer and Lana Morris is his wife.
Director Marcel Varnel, was born in Paris, worked in England but migrated to Australia in the 1960s and directed a number of series including Skippy and Neighbours, dying in Sydney in 1996.
1. Brief murder mystery? Investigation?
2. The London settings, the courts, homes, police precincts, apartment blocks, jeweller’s shops? Musical score?
3. The title, the initial court case, Paul Miller and his questions, the accused, the guilty verdict?
4. Paul, his success, legal reputation, victories in court? At home with Janet? Love for each other? His being busy?
5. Janet, love for her husband, the past relationship with Eric? The phone call, her going to meet him, his farewell, not telling Paul, saying she was going to the hairdresser? Discreetly leaving, seeing the man, seeing the murder, dropping her handkerchief and key? Screaming, hurrying to the taxi, going home, asking questions of Paul about court cases and witnesses to murder?
6. The case, the victim, on the stage, prostitution? The jewellery? The relationship with Corby? Janet interviewing her about donations, being reported as quarrelling?
7. Corby, as a witness, photographer, his model giving the alibi? Janet coming to meet him, identifying him as the killer? His criticisms of her, revealing she had met the victim earlier? Questions about her credibility?
8. The police, the investigation of the scene, the handkerchief, going to the stores, getting the information and name, going to visit Janet, Paul’s reaction? The telling most of the truth? The plausibility of the case against her, her arrest, at the police precinct, in jail? Paul and his reactions?
9. The police, the information, investigations, plausibility of the charge? Paul punching the officer? The later apology?
10. Paul, his investigations, going to see the model, taking the ring? Tracking down the jeweller’s shop? Going to Corby’s flat? The pawn ticket? The necklace?
11. Being caught by Corby, the confrontation, the fight?
12. Janet freed, the police apology, Corby to be charged?
