Clue of the Twisted Candle

This Edgar Wallace thriller was written by Philip Mackie, who pursued a successful career in film and television, and starred Bernard Lee in one of hishard boiled roles. Nothing especially original here, but the plot zips by ans the ensuing is convinces, as Lee investigates the apparently motiveless demise if a Greek entrepreneur. The film also explores the relationship between inspector and his chief sergeant sidekick (David Knight), in a fashion that has now become axiomatic in television drama.

Edgar Wallace was profligate writer.He often used situations such as featured in this film,where it was difficult to work out how the murder was committed.Bernard Lee is as reliable as ever as the dogged Scotland Yard detective.The mystery is well played out till near the end.Unfortunately the disguise of one character is so poor it virtually points the finger at him

The mysterious Ramon Karadis (Francis de Wolff) whose friend John Lexman (David Knight) is being blackmailed. Karadis advises Lexman to meet the blackmailer and provides him with a revolver just in case of any funny business. The meeting goes wrong and the blackmailer is shot dead. Things look bleak for Lexman but Superintendent Meredith (Bernard Lee) of Scotland Yard begins to suspect that Karadis has some greater involvement in the case than it would initially appear. Karadis later gets shot in a room with no windows and a steel lined door which locks only from the inside.

Fairly good story of the locked room story which comes across a little pedestrian in this programmer and doesn't engage a lot, however it boasts a good cast and the ending is good, though the killer is rather obvious.