WHISPERING SMITH HITS LONDON (1952, aka WHISPERING SMITH VS. SCOTLAND YARD) is another early Hammer murder mystery, with Richard Carlson as an imported American detective who arrives in London to do Scotland Yard's job for them. They've ruled a mysterious death as suicide but he quickly realises that foul play was involved, and soon uncovers the usual blackmailing ring - as well as taking time to romance the ladies.
This one feels a bit snappier than some, although B-movie specialist director Francis Searle doesn't do a particularly great job, as this is never as suspenseful or exciting as it should be. John Gilling wrote the story and there are some familiar faces in support, including Herbert Lom, THE LADYKILLERS star Danny Green, Laurence Naismith and Reginald Beckwith. But it's all very by-the-by, and the budget is just too low for this one to stand out; in Carlson we're saddled with another indifferent protagonist, and the viewer struggles to care.
This one feels a bit snappier than some, although B-movie specialist director Francis Searle doesn't do a particularly great job, as this is never as suspenseful or exciting as it should be. John Gilling wrote the story and there are some familiar faces in support, including Herbert Lom, THE LADYKILLERS star Danny Green, Laurence Naismith and Reginald Beckwith. But it's all very by-the-by, and the budget is just too low for this one to stand out; in Carlson we're saddled with another indifferent protagonist, and the viewer struggles to care.