I'm a Stranger

Not a comedy as billed, though it does have its share of amusing moments, by no means all of them intentional. It gets off to a quirky start, not always maintained, with glamorous star Greta Gynt, playing herself, having engine trouble en route to meeting a Hollywood producer, accepting a lift from local window cleaner and amateur sleuth James Hayter, discovering an injured woman in the back of his van and even more improbably, hanging about to help him investigate. Between them they help to make the film more watchable, but far too much of the running time consists of the cast standing around talking on cheap sets, with a great deal of tedious dialogue about a missing will and a family dispute in particular. Result is a danger of the audience dropping off and missing the rather clever twist ending. Jean Cadell has an unsympathetic part as usual, as a charmless nurse, Charles Lloyd Pack hams it up as a smug lawyer and there's an early role for a young and barely recognisable Fulton MacKay as a doctor called Alastair Campbell. Another famous-name-to-be, this time behind the scenes as editor was future Carry On director Gerald Thomas. Despite the duller patches, this can be recommended to fans of British 1950's B films, especially for the enjoyable performances from Greta Gynt and James Hayter.

For some reason the distributors of the DVD have entitles it "The Best Of British".Well this modest British B movies is hardly that.Basically it is about the Scottish branch of a family being disinherited by an eccentric uncle and their attempts to find and destroy the new will so that they will inherit.It is difficult to realise the fresh faced youngster playing Dr Campbell is in fact Fulton Mackay who would make his name just over 20 years later in Porridge.For some strange reason Greta Gynt has her own name in the film and although the nominal lead doesn't play a great part in the action.As with most thrillers there is a twist in the tail The DVD also has 4 trailers.I have never seen a trailer for a b feature in a cinema.After all you did not go to the cinema to see the supporting feature.

Patric Doonan shows up to claim his uncle's estate. The other members of the family are annoyed, and there is some evidence of hanky-panky....but who's done what? Greta Gynt, a friend of the family (playing herself) is sympathetic. Here comes police inspector Herbert Ross, asking awkward questions. Who sent for him? And what did the old man die of?

It's just about a pure puzzle mystery, over in slightly less than an hour, and you need to watch closely, both to be confused, and figure out who is lying about what. It's a fun time for anyone who likes the purely intellectual side of mysteries.

Never trust a fellow with Brock as the Christian name, but Director Brock Williams does a fine job of succintness and fast-paced twists with an ensemble of largely unknown actors united by their quirky repartee.

Photography by Gordon Lang (any relation of Fritz's?) is exceedingly smashing for a British B film, and the script keeps you guessing and waiting for the denouement, which is what one wants when one watches a flick - at least I do!

Best of all, stunningly gorgeous actress Greta Gynt as herself, with Inspector Craddock seemingly interested but aware that he flutters some social layers beneath her, and displaying that stiff upper lip in the face of the unfolding events surrounding a will.

Boisterous James Hayter provides most of the humor in this piece with his cockney accent, whilst sinister Jean Cadell counters with her thick Scottish brogue.

Ah, you can find holes in the script and in the logic, but it is fun throughout, and its humor pokes fun at the very film noir establishment.

Must-see for noir, British film, and Greta Gynt lovers.