'Murder Motel' brings Thriller's fifth series to a rather damp end and is one of weakest episodes in the entire run. There are some decent comic touches and reasonably competent acting performances but the whole premise is entirely implausible and somewhat confusing.
It begins with a homage (albeit a gender swap) to Alfred Hitchcock's 'Psycho' with a businessman checking into the motel and being stabbed as he showers. It appears that the motel is used as a place for contract killings and beneath the affable veneer of the owner Sam (played by Derek Francis, of 'K is For Killing' and 'Who Killed Lamb?' fame) lies a steely heart that is only warmed by the prospect of money.
Michael Spencer and his sister Helen arrive at the hotel with the aim of meeting a work colleague (Charles Burns - played by Edward Judd who also shone in 'Sign It Death') of Michael's that they suspect is involved in an internal embezzlement of company funds. Both parties fall foul to the motel's murderous staff and it later transpires that Burns is up to his neck in fraud and conspiracy. Michael's fiancé Kathy - an attractive American girl checks in at the motel in an attempt to solve the mystery but from then on it just unravels into forced dramatics and a weak conclusion.
In mitigation the story will keep you entertained and there is a wonderful appearance from Alan McClelland as a sleazy private investigator whose services are engaged by Kathy. His meeting with Sam is particularly inopportune. Gillian McCutcheon also lights up the screen as Burns' secretary who is revealed to be as corrupt as her boss.
An anti-climax.
It begins with a homage (albeit a gender swap) to Alfred Hitchcock's 'Psycho' with a businessman checking into the motel and being stabbed as he showers. It appears that the motel is used as a place for contract killings and beneath the affable veneer of the owner Sam (played by Derek Francis, of 'K is For Killing' and 'Who Killed Lamb?' fame) lies a steely heart that is only warmed by the prospect of money.
Michael Spencer and his sister Helen arrive at the hotel with the aim of meeting a work colleague (Charles Burns - played by Edward Judd who also shone in 'Sign It Death') of Michael's that they suspect is involved in an internal embezzlement of company funds. Both parties fall foul to the motel's murderous staff and it later transpires that Burns is up to his neck in fraud and conspiracy. Michael's fiancé Kathy - an attractive American girl checks in at the motel in an attempt to solve the mystery but from then on it just unravels into forced dramatics and a weak conclusion.
In mitigation the story will keep you entertained and there is a wonderful appearance from Alan McClelland as a sleazy private investigator whose services are engaged by Kathy. His meeting with Sam is particularly inopportune. Gillian McCutcheon also lights up the screen as Burns' secretary who is revealed to be as corrupt as her boss.
An anti-climax.