Murder Anonymous

This episode reminds us that all the cases in SCOTLAND YARD are based on fact. This one has a real judge talking with Edgar Lustgarten on the ethics of the case, and explaining the mechanics of judgement. The case itself is a classic example of identity theft.

Edgar Lustgarten is joined by a retired judge for this instalment of Scotland Yard.

Burt Langster has been found dead. He was a businessman who was a womaniser. An anonymous phone call points a finger towards Mrs Sheldon. Suspicion falls on Mrs Sheldon, who was carrying on with Langster behind the back of her blind husband. .

Other suspects are Langster's former business partner and his wife who was also having an affair with Langster.

The police are not even sure at first as to how Langster died. They thought it was shot at first but it was actually something that made it look like a heart attack. Maybe a clever martial arts move.

Despite the title of this instalment, the actual crime was manslaughter while acting to some extent in self defence.

As the judge mentions the actual culprit got away with murder. The woman who filled the mind of another with poisonous accusations.

A lothario by the name of Burt Lancaster has been found dead, it appears to be natural causes, but an anonymous phonecall to inspector Conway warns thar Lancaster was mixed up with a Mrs Sheldon.

I've watched quite a few of these short films, and this stands out as one of the best of them.

By any standards, this is a good watch, but considering this was made back in 1955, makes it all the more impressive.

It's a cleverly written story, with some very nice and imaginative ideas. We have judo, a blind and jealous husband and attitudes that weren't exactly common place for the time.

Wow, The Right honourable Sir Travers Humphreys is just what I think of when I imagine a nineteenth century judge, he didn't look to happy on camera.

7/10.