L'assassin a de l'humour

Herbert Lom stars with Mai Zetterling, Donald Wolfit, Greta Gynt, William Hartnell, and Denholm Elliott in "The Ringer" from 1952.

Police are on the lookout for a man, supposedly dead, whom they believe is alive. He's what they call "The Ringer," and he's after an attorney, Maurice Meister, who done him wrong. The Ringer's wife (Gynt) visits the police station for something and is questioned, but if she knows anything, she's not saying.

A criminal, Hackett (Hartnell) who has gone to Meister's to tell him that The Ringer, a master of disguse, is really alive, is then pushed into service by the police to help protect Meister. And while he's at it, he shoves a lot of silver into a bag. He's hilarious, with his commonlaw wife chasing after him complaining that his stealing is getting sloppy.

Herbert Lom is dark and sinister as Meister; Mai Zetterling is beautiful and sweet as his secretary. All of the acting is good.

There isn't any great surprise in this film since you can spot The Ringer a mile away. The end is very entertaining.

First of all I must say I love this film. I remember watching it about 30 years ago, and I recall enjoying it a lot.

Some people will say the Ringer is predictable I would beg to differ slightly, I would say that its predictability adds to its unpredictably if that makes sense!

It's a fairly short film which suits me with my diminishing concentration levels, great acting, Herbert Lom playing a typical bad guy, a young Denholm Elliott and William Hartnell playing a cheeky cockney villain.

I for one think its great entertainment, bought a copy from Amazon and have watched it twice in 3 days. Marvellous ending by the way. Enjoy it

Nick

Great film, well worth watching. It keeps you in suspense.

"Great film, well worth watching. It keeps you in suspense." ??

Er, no it doesn't. Bleedin' obvious who the ringer is and William Hartnell as a dodgy "luv a duck guv'ner" small time crook was laughable.

This must have been a stage play originally as I have never seen so many main characters in one room, with the police cohorting with the crooks - ridiculous!

It's a really enjoyable pot boiler, I enjoy watching the Police hunt for The Ringer, what a great name. You think you know what's happening, and you may be right, you may also have got it spot on.

It's a very nicely made, film, well shot and directed, with some fine performances, Herbert Lom and Denholm Elliot are excellent, Dora Bryan is a scream, but it's Hartnell who steals it as Sam Hackett.

Did he get what he deserved? 8/10