Playback

Playback is the very best of the Edgar Wallace crime films shot at Merton in the early 60s. The taut script is beautifully acted by Barry Foster as a young policeman who becomes involved with a glamorous German woman in London - a standout performance by the fabulous Margit Saad. It's surprising Saad did not have a major career in British films ... she is sensational in this 60 minute low budget thriller, so imagine how great she would have been in a major movie! Also in support are Nigel Green (the Prince Charles lookalike) as a dangerous casino owner, and a very young Dinsdale Landen as foster's fellow copper. If you only see one of the many Edgar Wallace series, make it this one.

This owes more to film noir as the story is told in flashback from the docks of the criminal court.

Barry Foster is young PC Hollis. He owes money to a small casino and he falls for a married woman Lisa Shillack (Margit Saad.)

Lisa is unhappily married to her wealthy businessman husband. Of course divorce is out of the question she is used to a life of wealth and privilege.

Hollis is the sap who is infatuated by Lisa and commits murder for her.

It's not long that he is left carrying the can for murder on his own. Even his alibi quickly falls apart. Lisa just knew what numbers to press.

It is good to see Barry Foster in an early role, especially when it dawns on him that he has thrown his career away for a woman who used him. Margit Saad is fantastic.

While on the beat one evening PC Dave Hollis (Barry Foster) came across beautiful German girl Lisa Shillack (Margit Saad) locked out of her flat. He helps her and before long the pair have fallen into an affair. Dave learns that Lisa's husband Simon Shillack (George Pravda) is a rich businessman that she has little love for and that she wants rid of. Before long Lisa is scheming to have him murdered and begins to slowly charm and coerce Dave into undertaking the murder.

Margit Saad is a femme fatale in the classic mode, easily seducing the naive young PC Hollis, while the stylish black and white camerawork enhances the classic noir feel of the piece. Barry Foster is excellent as the naive Bobby ( policeman on the beat) who gets suckered into murdering Saad's husband for insurance - definitely a far cry from Van Der Valk. It's a taut, fast-paced thriller that just sucks you into its tale.