User Reviews

An ex-con Arthur Payne is persuaded for £200 to rob Theo Gaunt's safe of some false jewellery so Gaunt can use it to confront his wife. But as the title of the film suggests this is a set-up for a more sinister purpose. Can Inspector Jackson sort out the mystery? A good entry in the Nat Cohen-Stuart Levy series of films based on (usually loosely) Edgar Wallace stories. It has a twisty plot and it works well. Perhaps the ending is a bit rushed but it does fill the time competently.

It is helped by a good professional British cast; Maurice Denham, John Carson, Anthony Bate and John Arnatt. Brian Peck as Payne however is just adequate. Luanshya Greer is credited as Pamela Greer and her character 'Pamela Shaw' is credited as 'Sally'. I hope she wasn't confused.

A better than average Edgar Wallace B movie, one of several dozen made on less than a pound in England in the early to mid 1960's, running an hour, and immediately sent to the TV airwaves. Some of them are quickly forgettable, while others are unique, but all sort of dated and predictable. The newly paroled Brian Peck isn't exactly the brightest of ex-cons, first ending up with an invalid train ticket, then engaged by the older Maurice Denham in conversation after the ticket issue is fixed.

The next day, someone else approaches Peck about breaking into his home, and steal jewelry from a safe, and to not wear gloves, promising him that the police will nor be involved. Not bloody likely that he won't be confronted, especially when Denham's wife is found murdered after a surprise confrontation with Peck. In spite of the naive Peck's willingness to be a patsy in this case, it's easy to get interested in seeing how this all unfolds with fascinating supporting characters and a fast pace, plus the pretty Pamela Greer as his girlfriend. These films all usually have nice twists at the end that the audience doesn't predict, and this one in particular is better for that.

The Set-Up is an excellent B feature with a good story, persuasive acting and sharp, clear photography. The narrative moves forward constantly, yields several surprises and does not depend on silly coincidences or characters behaving in ways that defy belief. When the final plot twist is revealed, everything we have seen makes sense.

Arthur Payne, recently out of prison, meets a stranger, Theo Gaunt, on a train and explains his situation. A few days later another stranger makes a curious proposition. Arthur should participate in a fake robbery and remove some imitation jewelry from the stranger's own safe. They agree and money passes hands. When the fake robbery takes place, a woman walks into the room. She is later found dead.

Brian Peck gives a sympathetic performance as the ex prisoner caught in a nasty trap. Maurice Denham is pretty well perfect as Theo Gaunt, a business man who sets up a devious scheme and gets more that he bargained for. Best of all is Anthony Bate as a very smooth villain, with a performance so good that it is surprising he was not asked to play similar parts in larger productions.

The Set-Up is almost forgotten today and was quickly dismissed when new, but it deserves to be seen again.

An Edgar Wallace Mystery.

This is an unpretentious B movie with shades of Strangers on a Train.

Arthur Payne is fresh out of prison and gets involved in a ticket mix up with the train guard. He meets businessman Theo Gaunt who buys the ticket for Payne.

A few days later Payne is visited by another man who has a proposition for £200. He wants Payne to rob Gaunt's safe for some false jewellery. Gaunt's wife has got rid off the real diamonds contained in it.

An easy fake robbery, not even a need to wear gloves. On the night of the robbery the phone goes off and Payne is interrupted by the woman of the house.

When the police arrive at the scene of the crime, there is also a dead body of a woman, Gaunt's wife.

The title implies this is a set up. Can Payne convince the police that he was framed? A man with his record inspires little trust.

Gaunt is a wealthy businessman who is also in love with a younger woman. The break in was his cover to kill his wife.

There are several twists to this story with a cast of character actors such as Maurice Denham. It was probably a bit too convenient that Payne could clear his name with that note he gave to the greengrocer which he still managed to keep.

Even more convenient when the police go to confront Gaunt, his own blackmailers arrive at the same time.