Model for Murder

Another 1950's low budget B film, which features American actor, Keith Anders as seaman Dave Martens, who while on shore leave, takes time out to investigate the death of his brother. In his search to try and get to the bottom of his brother's death, he quickly becomes involved with the world of London's haute couture, where he meets fashion designer Sally Meadows, top stylist Kingsley Beauchamp and Madame Dupont, who is the financial backer of a shady fashion company. Our American hero quickly becomes the number one suspect over some stolen diamonds as well as being implicated in the murder of the fashion model who was actually wearing them. Keith Anders as Dave, works hard to inject some energy and style in what is a very dull and implausible storyline. Michael Gough is miscast as the the sinister and suave criminal in chief, since he seems to be overwrought for most of the scenes, and indeed spends most of his time constantly giving everyone a maniacal stare. However, Alfred Burke and Edwin Richfield, who starred in so many B films in supporting roles do a fine job as the two 'low life' individuals working for Gough, but despite their best efforts, the weak storyline and the unconvincing acting of Gough, makes it a yawn.

Cult stars of horror films, Hazel Court and Michael Gough, have leading roles in this thriller, set in the glamorous world of haute couture. Gough is Kingsley Beauchamp, head of a West End fashion house, who's planning to steal some valuable jewellery that's on loan to him. Keith Andes is the American Merchant Navy officer visiting the salon to meet his late brother's girlfriend, played by Julia Arnall. Returning an expensive dress, borrowed for her night out, she surprises the robbers in the act and is fatally stabbed by Beauchamp's chauffeur. Guess who's then fitted-up for the murder?

For a thriller, this is acutely lacking in pace and tension and so doesn't really work. The cast are some compensation for this, however. Keith Andes gives a strong performance in the lead, bringing some credibility to the sort of character the script has lying shocked and injured in hospital, then immediately tearing around all over London, despite being a total stranger in the city. There's the poise, allure and glamour of Hazel Court and Julia Arnall; Patricia Jessel as Beauchamp's designer and associate, Madame Dupont, good old Edwin Richfield playing the murderous chauffeur, Alfred Burke as a crooked bod named Podd, and not least, Michael Gough himself in full villainous mode. Hence my slightly generous rating.

An old-fashioned thriller with American Keith Andes as an American ship's officer mixed up with fashion models and scoundrels like Michael Gough and Edwin Richfield. Entertaining if implausible. And when does the First Mate of a merchant ship (oil tanker?) leave the ship on arrival in port? Never in my experience, they have work to do.

Julia Arnell, a high-priced model, is murdered when she accidentally interrupts a diamond heist while returning her dress to the fashion shop. The remainder of the movie is seeing if the bad guys are going to get caught and how Keith Andes, who has been falsely accused, will clear himself. Michael Gough and Edwin Richfield have great chemistry as the bad guys. Hazel Court and Jean Aubrey are cute as sisters helping Andes clear himself. The movie itself while having an interesting plot lacks suspense or tension. The musical score is horrible. Okay as a time waster.

I've always wondered how somebody throwing a knife can propel it with sufficient force and accuracy to embed it in someone (or a door or wall if they miss), but that particular feat is again accomplished when the model in this film is murdered.

Whatever. A good cast scurry about this lively potboiler made with nonchalant competence and scripted with a sense of humour.