A Disappointing Continuation

Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

Producer: Jack Greenwood. Not copyrighted by Merton Park Studios. Released in the U.S.A. through Schoenfeld Film Distributing Corporation: 11 May 1966. No recorded New York opening. U.K. release through Anglo Amalgamated: 21 October 1962. Australian release through British Empire Films: 9 January 1964. 5,046 feet. 56 minutes. SYNOPSIS: When he cannot find a kidnapped saleswoman in a case linked to jewel thieves, Inspector Sparrow is yanked from the investigation. So he decides to conduct his enquiries on his own.NOTES: Number 20 of the 50-picture Merton Park "Edgar Wallace" series... First film of former TV director, Gordon Flemyng... Ninth film of soon-to-be-superstar, Michael Caine, who was to score so mightily with Zulu (his eleventh film), The Ipcress File (his twelfth), and Alfie (his thirteenth).COMMENT: Another Edgar Wallace. My excuse for reviewing this one in is that star-spotters will enjoy discovering a little-known Michael Caine. Also, of course, it's one of the better Merton Park entries. Not only is it efficiently directed, but it possesses an efficient cast. True, Michael Caine displays little latent star power, but Reynolds and Houston turn in appealing performances and there are some mighty attractive girls on hand as well. Director Flemyng makes imaginative and dramatically compelling use of his natural locations. Other technical credits also rise to the occasion. The characters are interesting, their conflicts ring in as really suspenseful, the dialogue skims along breezily with a racily realistic edge, whilst the plot builds tautly steadily to a real action climax. Only the fact that the story is really a straight thriller (not much in the way of mystery is involved) will maybe register a slight disappointment in the minds of rabid Edgar Wallace fans. OTHER VIEWS: Even the Monthly Film Bulletin more or less liked this one: "Fairly routine, but with sudden flashes of imagination... Some of the minor crooks are quite skillfully drawn, and the climactic rescue couldn't have been better timed by John Wayne and the U.S. cavalry."

The series of Edgar Wallace mysteries produced at Merton Park Studios by Jack Greenwood in the early 1960's were never intended to be more than cheap second features but time has made them quite a little treasure trove of British acting and film-making talent. Quite a few actors and directors cut their teeth working on these hour-long programmers. Here we have Michael Caine as 'Mooney', just on the verge of being cast as Bromhead in 'Zulu' and achieving stardom. He is OK here, but just another bit player.(Spoiler here.) The story is intriguing. We have a police detective who 'goes on leave', determined to crack a case his superiors think is out of his league. For a British copper of that time he really goes rogue: entrapment, illegal wire-taps, he even kills two men (one being our future superstar). Glyn Houston handles the role very well for one who was usually a stolid supporting actor. There's even a touch of James Bond resourcefulness towards the end. (Spoiler ends.)As usual in these films everybody smokes their heads off and drinks Scotch by the bucketful, it's part of their nostalgic appeal. There is also the opportunity to see London before the development boom of the 60's took hold, and some classic British cars from the days when we had our own motor industry, including a Hillman Super Minx and Vanden Plas Princess. These little films are still entertaining to watch and a real time capsule. Recommended.

Another of the entertaining Merton Park releases, loosely based on Edgar Wallace stories, that were shown before the main feature in the 60s. Many of the actors in these films went on to bigger things, some were destined to make a good living playing supporting roles and some didn't progress at all. In this film, the one and only Michael Caine plays Paddy, one of a group of crooks who steal the keys to a jewellery shop from the elderly shop assistant after she's locked up for the night, accidentally killing her. Although IMDb has Caine near the top of the cast list, his role is fairly minor, played with a brave attempt at an Irish accent. As usual for these films, the plot is quite intriguing and Glyn Houston as Inspector Sparrow puts in a credible performance as he tries to track down the thieves despite his superior's wishes that he should call in Scotland Yard to help. Nothing is quite what it seems and this turns out to be more than a straightforward robbery.