Brian Desmond Hurst's first movie is a poor quota quickie. It is amateurishly acted by performers, most of whose screen credits consist of just this movie -- although John Kelt as the murder victim had some silent credits, and Thomas Shenton as one of the investigators later had a career as a make-up artist. It's clear that Hurst had seen UN CHIEN ANDALOU; he borrowed extensively for his shots and images.
It is of interest because Hurst would quickly get better, and would direct one easily seen masterpiece: SCROOGE. The rest of his catalogue has been difficult to find, although a few others have become available over the last decade, and have proven him a capable film maker. This one, however, adds no luster to his career. It's of interest to completists, connoisseurs of bad movies, and other madmen such as I.
It is of interest because Hurst would quickly get better, and would direct one easily seen masterpiece: SCROOGE. The rest of his catalogue has been difficult to find, although a few others have become available over the last decade, and have proven him a capable film maker. This one, however, adds no luster to his career. It's of interest to completists, connoisseurs of bad movies, and other madmen such as I.