Run a Crooked Mile

An English school teacher (Louis Jordan!) witnesses what he calls a murder (actually, one man was defending himself from being attacked by a chap with a gun that discharged accidentally in a struggle, so I can't imagine what rational being would call that a murder). Naturally, the police don't believe him, especially when he reaches the place where it happened and it's all changed.

Hiring a sleazebag private detective (Terence Alexander, in a great but small bit) he gets a lead but then gets thunked on the head following it up.

When he wakes up he's living in a palatial villa outside Geneva, married to a young Mary Tyler Moore. I should have such a bump.

So, was his past a delusion caused by a polo playing accident, and has he lost his mind? Or have a lot of people in conspiracy set him up in a wonderful new life? And why is he complaining about it?

But for some reason he's determined to get to the bottom of it all, and that means more danger from the conspirators. If any.

A truly first-rate cast, mostly in small roles, gives the star more than adequate support. One stand-out (as always) is the great Wilfred Hyde-White.

I can't figure out if it's a droll comedy. It's filled with some unexpected laughs. For instance, when he looks at a photo of his new wife, Moore, it looks like a goofy publicity shot left over from "The Dick van Dyke Show." And Jordan's attitude to his new surroundings strikes me as so incongruous as to be funny. A serious-minded teacher is suddenly Gaston from "Gigi."

His quest to find out what happened should satisfy conspiracy buffs. The rest of us can enjoy some fine performances by some of Britain's top supporting actors. It's nice, silly, cozy fun to kill an afternoon.

It's a weekly ritual. I have to check the TV guide to see if any channel is showing this classic. I'm watching for it on Ebay. Next, I'm hiring a private detective. I have to find a copy of this film, which kept me company when I was off school in the 70's. It's typical of it's era as I recall, relying on plot and acting ability over effects and gore.

It's been so long since I saw it, that I've actually forgotten the main story. All i remember is, there are some stunning locations, Louis Jourdan has lost his memory and he asks about a key, which signals the return of said lost memory and the beginning of his troubles. Help! I need to find a copy. It's a classic.

This really should be re-made today ! Its got a brilliant twist and keeps the audience guessing throughout. Louis Jordan is an excellent hero. Mary Tyler Moore is his , initially sceptic, companion. The polo match injury in hospital scene is one of those "OH yeah!" cinematic moments. I would love to see this movie released and will pay good money to get a copy. If anyone ever hears about how to get hold of a copy please contact me!!! Or simply put a review comment down here so that we can all get a copy ! I actually emailed the BBC to get this re-scheduled on TV and they said they would. Nowadays, Brad Pitt would play Louis Jordan's role and Julia Roberts could be the Mary Tyler Moor role. 10/10 Fantastic !

Inquisitive, unflagging schoolmaster in London chases down the driver of a car which ran him off the road to a secluded manor in the woods; sneaking in the back window, the teacher comes across a secret sect of gentleman bankers who appear to be unaware of his presence when a shooting occurs. Complicated, endlessly intriguing film from Universal was distributed straight to television, though it has the look and feel of a theatrical feature (and may have eventually been pared down to TV-movie length, unfortunately). There simply isn't enough time on the clock to expand on all the twists and turns in Trevor Wallace's script. This would make the perfect mini-series, as each unfolding episode holds a small surprise. Louis Jourdan is terrific in the leading role--smart, sure-handed, resourceful. Mary Tyler Moore plays his romantic interest who may or may not be what she seems, and she's well-matched with Jourdan (but why can't the women in these movies ever run from Point A to Point B without falling down?). The concluding events seem a bit rushed, and Jourdan's escape from a locked room near the climax is right out of James Bond. Still, the film is a good one; improbable, perhaps, but tightly-paced, intelligent, and highly enjoyable.

Great movie! Intelligent plot and a treasure chest of acting talent in the likes of Holloway, Howard, Naismith, et all. I saw this movie upon its release and it still rivets me to my seat. The magic of this movie whisked me away from the tedium of 1960's mid-America to the beautiful European locations on which it was shot and allowed me to escape into intrigue, suspense and danger for a few hours. This might have been considered a mid-budget level British production, but my biased opinion is that their mid level movies beat most of our A-productions in quality. It is my hope that this fine production is released on DVD very soon.