A man has been shot dead at his country home, and the police are on the scene, trying to figure out the culprit. Police inspector John Stuart is looking at the murder scene, the dead man's library. When the constables leave, he addresses the audience, points out the relevant details, and wishes us luck in figuring it out before he does. He will do so again. Indeed, one of the constables will wonder how much luck we've had in figuring out the murderer, given that everyone has lied.
Producer-director Mario Zampi had begun as a stage actor in Italy about 1920. But 1938, he was producing and directing movies in Great Britain. His great successes would come in the 1950s with some funny comedies, but for now he was producing quota quickies like this 49-minute mystery. It's a straightforward mystery that cheekily breaks the fourth wall, and makes us wonder what, if any method Stuart has in his investigations. It's rather clever, engaging, and infuriating.
Producer-director Mario Zampi had begun as a stage actor in Italy about 1920. But 1938, he was producing and directing movies in Great Britain. His great successes would come in the 1950s with some funny comedies, but for now he was producing quota quickies like this 49-minute mystery. It's a straightforward mystery that cheekily breaks the fourth wall, and makes us wonder what, if any method Stuart has in his investigations. It's rather clever, engaging, and infuriating.
