Paul Temple's Triumph

PAUL TEMPLE'S TRIUMPH is the third of four Paul Temple films, shot on the cheap at Nettlefold Studios and adapted from the radio plays by Francis Durbridge. This follows on from the stodgy SEND FOR PAUL TEMPLE and the acceptable CALLING PAUL TEMPLE and was followed by PAUL TEMPLE RETURNS, which is my personal favourite of the four.

These films are hampered by a low budget and Maclean Rogers's indifferent execution, but for fans of the era they provide a few thrills. Once again the usual go-to guy, John Bentley, essays the role of Temple with Dinah Sheridan his reliable partner Steve. The plot of this one begins with the kidnapping of a scientist and the subsequent investigation turns up a sinister criminal gang with murder in mind.

PAUL TEMPLE'S TRIUMPH was considered to be a lost film for a while, much like the two TOFF adaptations also starring Bentley. It lacks a decent supporting cast (PAUL TEMPLE RETURNS had the likes of Christopher Lee in support) but it still manages a few good twists along the way, including one ahead-of-its-time shocking moment. And the short running time means that this is one quota quickie that never outstays its welcome.

Just watched this oldie, agree with previous remarks but ....can't find an image of Paul & Steve's Aston Martin 'washboard' convertible model with the rear wheel spats annoyingly!!!

Number three of Nettlefold's 'Paul Temple' potboilers is a garrulous and uninvolving affair until about the halfway mark, when it picks up considerably and the women start wearing the trousers (in the case of Dinah Sheridan's 'Steve', literally).

Despite two of the previous reviewers evoking The Goons in their headings no one so far seems to have noticed that the actress playing the unfortunate Celia (in her only appearance in a feature film), Anne Hayes, continued her run of bad fortune the following year when she became the first Mrs Peter Sellars.

Andrew Leigh has been working on his secret formula -- what does it do? Shut up, he explained -- when a couple of henchmen show up, threaten his daughter, and eat his biscuits without asking. They're working for the Z organization, a bunch of spies who sell their secrets to the highest bidder. Somehow, John Bentley and Dinah Dinah Sheridan as mystery writer Paul Temple and his wife Steve wind up at the hotel where the spies and police chasing spies congregate. Can Temple and company stumble their way to success in less than eighty minutes? It is to laugh.

It's based on one of the radio show's serial that originally aired in November and December of 1939, doubtless changed from Nazi agent to something that suggests The 39 Steps without much humor. With Jack Livesey, Jenny Mathot, and Leo de Pokorny in his final screen performance.

John Bentley is Paul Temple and Dinah Sheridan is his wife Steve, who are searching for a missing nuclear scientist believed to be kidnapped by a sinister organisation.

This is a densely plotted B film, with plenty of interior scenes that highlights its low budget despite the furs worn by some of the female cast. Still there are shady types hanging around every corner, some even with doped cigarettes. Ah the peril of smoking nicotine.

Despite the short running time, I still found it somewhat flabby and disengaging. Dinah Sheridan was delectable though.