MANTRAP
UK, 1953, 73 minutes, Black and white.
Paul Henreid, Lois Maxwell, Kieron Moore, Hugh Sinclair, Lloyd Lamble, Bill Travers, Kay Kendall.
Directed by Terrence Fisher.
This film was directed by Terrence Fisher, director of many strong dramas but who was to emerge at the studios where he worked, Hammer Studios, with his direction of the first Hammer horror films of Dracula and Frankenstein, starring Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee.
This is as brief murder mystery, London setting, the man accused of murder and imprisoned, his escape, his wanting to make contact with his former wife who had visited him in prison. A genial investigator, friend of the wife, tracks the man down, shelters him, then introduces him at a social whereby various suspects are present and the murderer is unmasked.
The wife is played by Lois Maxwell, Canadian actress, who was almost a decade later to become immortalised as Miss Moneypenny in the James Bond films. Paul Henreid was a Hollywood star (Now Voyager, Casablanca…), He took a stance against Senator Mc Carthy and the Communist investigations, was blacklisted, went to England to make a few films including this one, returned to Hollywood and was invited by Alfred Hitchcock to direct episodes and Henreid had a very strong career in television direction.
Kieron Moore was a strong actor (Vronsky alongside Vivien Leigh in Anna Karenina, 1948). Bill Travers was to emerge as a genial star. Kay Kendall, a very bright screen presence, was at the beginning of her very short screen career.
1. London drama? Thriller? Murder mystery?
2. The settings, the fashion world, the newspaper world, investigations? Clubs? The musical score?
3. The focus on Thelma, her background, in the world of fashion, social reporting, her relationship with the editor? The background of her marriage, to Speight, his being accused of murder, conviction, visiting him in prison? His escape and her concern? The police, protection? The friendship with Hugo Bishop? Relying on him to find her husband? Her not being divorced, calling herself Mrs Tasman, her relationship with Victor? The phone calls, keeping in touch, his absence and return?
4. Hugo Bishop, as character, his background, friendship with Thelma? Vera as his scretary? Her devotion to him? Participating in the investigation?
5. Hugo, following the clues, knowing Speight, the art dealings, the artist asking him to investigate, the artist’s return to London?
6. Speight, his character, background, marriage to Thelma, the murder, his fall, amnesia? The escape from prison? Hiding? Hugo finding him? Taking him home? Hugo’s contact with the various suspects?
7. The editor of the paper, his wife and family, interest in Thelma? The doctor? The photographer and his wanting news and scoops?
8. The party, dancing, Speight meeting Thelma? The other men and their presence?
9. The police, confrontations? Denials? The editor, his leaving, the pursuit, the return to the scene of the crime, his fall and death?
10. Genial central characters? The innocent victim? The detection? The solution?
