
A classic British thriller set in a sinister old house, based on a story by Edgar Wallace.
Release Date: 9/28/1940
Runtime: 81 minutes
Languages: English
Director: George King
00Companies: George King Productions, British Lion Films
Countries: United Kingdom
CinemaSerf
When the chauffeur to "Lady Lebanon" (Helen Haye) is found strangled with one of her expensive silk scarves, Scotland Yard detective "Tanner" (George Merritt) and his slightly goofy sidekick "Totty" (Ronald Shiner) descend on her country pile to investigate. It's not long before we discover that there are plenty of suspects for the murderer of this rather odious gent - not least the frequent visitor "Dr. Amersham" (Felix Aylmer) and her son, the present "Lord Lebanon" (Marius Goring) whom she is pressuring to marry "Isla" (Penelope Dudley-Ward). The whodunit element is quite well stitched together, with Aylmer and Haye working well together with Goring to create just a hint of menace as the rather thin story heads for quite a quirky ending. The production benefits from the stately home scenario, there is quite a compelling effort from Goring towards the end and there are some nice old cars too. Though really quite a slow burn, it is still worth watching.
Isla Crane

Marius Goring
Willie, Lord Lebanon

Helen Haye
Lady Lebanon

Penelope Dudley-Ward
Isla Crane

Felix Aylmer
Dr. Amersham

George Merritt
Det. Inspector Tanner

Ronald Shiner
Sergeant Totty

Patrick Barr
Richard Ferraby

Roy Emerton
Gilder

George Hayes
Brooks
John Warwick
Studd
Elizabeth Scott
Mrs. Tilling

Torin Thatcher
Jim Tilling, the Groundsman
2012