The Blind Goddess

Good if you like court-room dramas, also good if you like very long movies because this one positively drags - despite an excellent cast consisting of the wonderful Anne Crawford. If all the boring bits were cut out, this would be one fast paced and snappy little thriller. It starts off promising, with the murder that is done up to look like a suicide, but then fails to deliver anything quite as good until almost the very end. A little romance is of course woven into the plot, and most of the fun comes from young Claire Bloom.

This is a slow plot and probably sucks in people who believe sections of the British establishment are corrupt. Obviously this was a stage drama written by a practising QC who clearly had come across some real life examples of the British aristocracy more keen on profit and self rewarding than charity or humanity.

If you want a story that seems to suggest that there are immoral figures in the UK government historically and therefore it is perfectly reasonable that they exist currently, then this is definitely the film for you!

It really isn't that complicated, but was clearly based on legal process.

Somewhat dated these days, THE BLIND GODDESS nonetheless works if you have any interest at all in courtroom dramas and the intricacy of the British justice system. It also helps to have a cast of seasoned professionals giving adroit performances throughout. The tale is one of intrigue, beginning with a shocking murder and going from there, and whilst not spectacular it certainly holds the attention thanks to the level of detail involved.

Eric Portman was ideal for this part. His clipped phraseology and static style of acting suited his character - barrister "Sir John Dearing" down to a T. He is called up to prosecute "Waterhouse" (Michael Denison) who has been accused by "Lord Brasted" (Hugh Williams) of trying to blackmail him for the enormous sum of £20,000. Having reach the upper echelons of the British government, accusations of large scale bribery and embezzlement force a court case that grips the land. There are letters, accusations of infidelity, forgeries and a courtroom informality that I found quite enjoyable for just under ninety minutes. The ending has a sort of stiff-upper-lip convenience about it which rather disappoints, but the rest of this drama is well propped up by a solid cast - Anne Crawford and Nora Swinburne primary amongst them - and the courtroom intrigues have just enough complications to keep it interesting.

Michael Denison works for Hugh Williams, who is in charge of a major relief fund. He receives word from his good friend, Martin Benson, that the fund is being pilfered, and Williams being paid off. Benson is promptly murdered. When Denison confronts him about the money, Williams denies it and offers Denison ten thousand pounds. Denison, however, wants to do the right thing and goes to the Prime Minister. He quickly finds himself on trial for blackmail, with the case being tried by Eric Portman, whose daughter, Claire Bloom (in her first screen appearance) has a secret understanding with him. As an added complication, Williams is married to Anne Crawford, who, she claims, has a letter written to her in which Denison's blackmail plans are revealed.

It's a complicated bit of a puzzle as to what is really going on, even though we see Denison every step of the way. Everyone talks in extreme toff accents, and we are apprised of the fact that the legal system is quite heartless, although individuals may have a conscience. Also that everyone remembers the most trivial event of the day for months and months. Except me.