One of a few films that pulled the air out of the tires of Stewart Granger's film career post MGM. You can see why he made it though - it was from Romulus, and was directed by John Guillermin, the budget afforded an American co star (Donna Reed) it was based on a popular play.
Many critics said this was similar to Dial M for Murder and I can see why - it was based on a TV play which became a stage play, has a few twists and turns.
It's not as skilled though director John Guillermin does a good job. It starts brilliantly with George Sanders meeting Stewart Granger at a party saying he's a detective and Granger's ex mistress has been murdered. Granger freaks and goes to retrieve some things of his at the mistress's house. Granger then sees the mistress is alive and freaks out. He takes her home. She's murdered. He's a suspect. Sanders appears and says he's no detective, he's her husband... and says Granger did it. Evidence points to Granger. Sanders admits he did it... but wants Granger to swing for it.
Up to this point I was going "wow" but couldn't see where else they could go with it. And they don't really go anywhere. Granger gets arrested, his dull wife Donna Reed steps in to find evidence to rescue him.
I mean it was fine, just not up to the first half. It's in black and white which means the south of France setting really isn't exploited. Jonathan Latimer wrote the script which has some good lines and situations - it's briskly done. Just not up to the quality of the first half.
It is interesting to see Granger in a role of a man under pressure. He normally played flat out villains or heroes. Sanders is great fun as always. Reed is pretty but bland.
The girl who plays the mistress is awful, a caricature of a sexy European dame.
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