This is one of the best entries in the series of Edgar Wallace films produced at Merton Park in the early 1960's. A great deal of its strength comes from the performance of Paul Daneman.
It is a cliché to say it is more interesting for actors to play villains rather than heroes, but Daneman does a superb job of playing a villain who is essentially a weak and ineffectual man. Possibly his only success in life is figuring out a way to murder his rich uncle that appears impossible. Outwardly calm and sophisticated, Rex Lander is actually insecure and rather desperate. Slowly he cracks under the pressure of police investigation.
Paul Daneman achieves all this through suggestion - a flick of the eyes, a private smile, a shrug of the shoulders. It's a fine piece of acting and makes the whole film worth watching.
It is a cliché to say it is more interesting for actors to play villains rather than heroes, but Daneman does a superb job of playing a villain who is essentially a weak and ineffectual man. Possibly his only success in life is figuring out a way to murder his rich uncle that appears impossible. Outwardly calm and sophisticated, Rex Lander is actually insecure and rather desperate. Slowly he cracks under the pressure of police investigation.
Paul Daneman achieves all this through suggestion - a flick of the eyes, a private smile, a shrug of the shoulders. It's a fine piece of acting and makes the whole film worth watching.
