Ricochet

Though the basic plot for this was extracted from Edgar Wallace's novel Angel of Terror, the cold, cynical characters are very much of the 1960s. They are more memorable though than the bland, insipid individuals who tended to be a more usual feature of this Merton Park series. There are so many potential snags to Richard Leech's initial blackmail and murder scheme, as to strain credibility, but the fast-moving storyline and devious characters prove gripping. In addition to Maxine Audley as Leech's frosty wife, there's Patrick Magee, at home as a menacing police official and Dudley Foster who was always a treat as smooth, sly operators from both sides of the law. Another plus is the superb, sharp photography from Jimmy Wilson, an unsung hero of British 'B's making good use of the ice-rink setting and the exterior scenes, filmed during the 'big freeze' of 1962-63 when snow lay on the ground for several months.

A smart solicitor Alan Phipps (Richard Leech) approaches an acquaintances that might appear as a random guy to anyone else and hires him to blackmail his wealthy wife, in actual facts framing her who ends up killing the blackmailer. Phipps was also trying to get a full revenge as he planned to approach the man he found out was his wife's lover. But he makes an oversight mistake in the last second...

Infidelity, murder and blackmail plays a big role in this fairly involving thriller. It's well-acted by all, and suspenseful,too. Will the husband get away with his scheme hooks you in. Nice twist at the end. Judging by the abundance of snow in the exterior shots this entry was filmed during the big freeze of 1963 that brought Britain to a near standstill for months. Streatham railway station features here as well. Good shots of an ice rink.

This is one of the Edgar Wallace Mystery Theatre films that qualifies as a noir in Michael F Keaney's British FILM NOIR GUIDE. He rates it a generous two-and-a-half stars out of five. It is well-made within its limited budget: James Wilson's cinematography is top-notch, especially making atmospheric use of an ice skating rink and snow-covered landscapes, and all the actors - Maxine Audley as the blackmailed and manipulated wife; Richard Leech as the duplicitous husband; Alex Scott as the partner-in-crime; Dudley Foster as the fly in the husband's ointment; and Patrick Magee as the less-than-sympathetic inspector - give good performances, but the script is a real clinker. How the husband, who is supposed to be a solicitor, could hatch a plan with so many things that could go wrong, and that anybody should go along with it, simply beggars belief. And even if you buy the implausible plotting at the beginning of the film, the end is even more ridiculous. Shame, because this had a lot going for it. Fans of the genre, however, should not be put off by my low rating.

The good: photography is excellent, especially the scenes at the ice rink, and the performances by the actors is superb.

The not-so-good: the plot is a little confusing and contrived in places, and the lawyer's character comes across as a a rather ineffectual blackmailer, compared to Dudley Foster's character who exudes false charm and greed. However, for me, at least, just he atmosphere and performances make the film very watchable.

The film includes scenes filmed at Stretham Ice Rink, Britain's second-oldest ice rink, opened in 1930, sadly now demolished to make way for yet another Tesco supermarket. One for fans of London landmarks.