In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

I gave this film a 9 out of 10, because it was exactly what I expected it to be.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

I found NO TRACE to be a rather plodding British crime film and one that falls flat compared to rival product from the era. It has a good cast but proceeds to waste that cast on a slow-moving plot that follows obvious routes while lacking the kind of suspense and danger present in most other films from the period.The protagonist is the rather stuck up Hugh Sinclair who works as a writer of popular crime mysteries. One day he finds himself blackmailed by an old face from his past (a fun Michael Brennan) who knows a few skeletons in the closet, so to get rid of the blackmailer Sinclair decides to murder him. He does this by adopting an odd disguise which gives this B-movie some of the feel of an old Columbo episode.Eventually the police investigate and Sinclair becomes more and more desperate to cover his tracks. The story - by John Gilling, who also directs - is solid enough but the execution does fall rather flat and it doesn't help that Sinclair is so resolutely dull. Dinah Sheridan is better as the investigating secretary, while John Laurie and Barry Morse are a good double act as the police. A young Dora Bryan has a crucial supporting role and there's a ubiquitous Sam Kydd cameo too.

This film reminds me of the Edward G Robinson film made a few years before this.In that case Robinson,a professor,becomes infatuated with i recall Joan Bennett,and then bumps off her lover and is blackmailed by Dan Duyea.Raymond Massey ,the DA,invites Robinson to where the body was of course dumped by Robinson.So i guess a slight bit of plagiarism here.However for all that it is an enjoyable if routine thriller.Lots of familiar faces such as Michael Brennan,a very young Dora Bryan ,and of course John Laurie,some 17 years before attaining late stardom.I still think it would have been simpler for Sinclair just to go to the police and cop a plea rather than having to bump off Brennan.By the way i agree with the other reviewer,it was good to see how easy it was to park in London then !

Above average (I voted 7/10) British crime thriller from 1950.The Secretary in question is Dinah Sheridan who seems more intelligent than her boss (Hugh Sinclair), an ex-actor, ex-robber with a shady past now crime writer trying to bury his past by producing successful novels.In accordance with IMDb.com policy I won't give away the plot and thus spoil future viewers enjoyment of this film.Incidentally, I have never seen this film on DVD nor for sale commercially but the good news for readers is that it is shown on the wonderful youtube.com, so come on readers, let us have a few more comments than mine and those above, I would be interested to hear other opinions.As I am 65 and therefore was 4 in 1950, I have a vague memory of the stylish gull winged Triumph sports car that Hugh Sinclair drove around in the film.As stated in another of my reviews, it is a pleasure for me to see film characters driving around London AND PARKING! where they please, with hardly any other competing motorists or eagle eyed, intimidating traffic wardens.More disturbing is the frequency with which early post war film actors/actresses light up cigarettes (made a man/woman of you!).I noticed Hugh Sinclair only lived to 58 and if he smoked in real life like his stage persona, it does not surprise me.It was unlikely a Scotland Yard detective, (played by "Dads Army" stalwart John Lawrie) would invite a crime thriller writer along for the ride to help him solve the case.The direction/writing is in the safe hands of Robert S Baker/Monty Berman partnership.

I was amazed by this pretty good surprise from John Gilling. One of his earliest films. One of his most hard to find ones. UK amazing crime movies are not so numerous. This one is cheap but effective, sharp and breathtaking.The tale of a famous crime novels writer who commits the perfect murder in order to protect himself against a black mailer. A guy he knew several years ago and with whom he committed some outlaw jobs. A guy he absolutely has to get rid off. At all cost.I won't spoil the movie, describe all the details and deprive you of the pleasure I took myself. One of the greatest UK B movies from these years.And produced by the wonderful Robert Baker and Monty Berman.