PIT OF DARKNESS
UK, 1961, 76 minutes, Black and white.
William Franklyn, Moira Redmond, Bruno Barnabe, Leonard Sachs, Nigel Green, Anthony Booth, Nanette Newman, Michael Balfour.
Directed by Lance Comfort.
Pit of Darkness is an interesting British supporting feature of the early 1960s, featuring William Franklyn, a suave presence, a man who is found on a vacant lot, bashed, returning home to find that he has been absent for three weeks, his wife suspicion of his being with another woman.
The plot is complicated as the man, who works successfully in a company making very secure safes, goes back to the office to get information, helped by his doctor, Nigel Green, discovers that there has been a significant robbery from one of the company safes. He sees a suspicious car and gets the number plate – which leads to a club and its owners.
His wife, Moira Redmond, gradually believes him and he tells her all that he can remember, including an attempt on his life at a rendezvous in a country house which explodes. Eventually, the gang who first abducted him and have been trying to kill him, want him to do another job. The criminals are present at the country mansion, as is the secretary of the company and her boyfriend (Nanette Newman in a very early role and an unrecognisable Anthony Booth as the boyfriend) and his wife is a hostage. However, he is able to turn the tables – and all ends well.
1. The title? Amnesia?
2. British supporting feature, amnesia story, crime? The city settings, the empty space, homes, offices, mansions and safes, clubs? The recurring song and its being incorporated into the mystery?
3. Richard, being discovered by the boy, told that he had been attacked by two men, Richard’s gratitude, going later to see the boy, the information about the men and the Mercedes? Richard going home, absent for three weeks, Julie and her suspicions, his taking up as if he hadn’t been away? The impact of the amnesia, the puzzle and mystery? Julie’s reaction? Gradually believing him? Thinking there was another woman, the phone calls from Mavis?
4. Jonathan, doctor and friend, coming to visit, his advice and support? The quotation from Romeo and Juliet? The clue for his memory?
5. Richard going back to work, his colleague and his sympathy and support, Mary in the office? Things going back to normal?
6. The phone call from Mavis, the appointment at the house, Richard not telling anyone, driving, in the house, the realisation of the explosive his escape, losing his hat, buying another, Julie suspicions on phone calls? The newspapers?
7. The news about the jewel robbery? The company and providing safe? Mary showing him the files, the absence of information about the robbery? As checking with the newspaper files?
8. Continuing suspicions, the men in the car, the opposite building, Richard inquiring about renting, discovering their taking the room, going to the roof, the possibility for a sniper? His return, catching the man, his falling to the street?
9. The information about the number plate, the club, going with Julie, seeing Mavis, talking with her, the two suspicious man, going to Mavis’ apartment, her death?
10. Richard getting the gun from his partner? Julie wary?
11. Richard and his return, the confrontation with the criminals, the shooting? Their taking Richard, abducting Julie? Wanting him to open the new safe?
12. His agreement, Julie as hostage? The revelation that Mary and Ted were the source of information? Their presence when he was opening the safe? The other criminals?
13. Richard warning about the shield coming down, the need for fire, his turning the tables, guns, the owners, the security alarm, the police arriving?
14. Happy ending after such intricate plotlines and the amnesia?
