HIDDEN HOMICIDE

Griffith Jones, Maya Koumani, Patricia Laffan

HIDDEN HOMICIDE (1959). Director: Anthony Young. 

Michael Cornforth (Griffith Jones) is spirited away from his flat by an unknown person and wakes up in his cousin's cottage with his dead body inside. Two women -- Jean (Patricia Laffan) and Marian (Maya Koumani) -- happen along and Michael bares his soul to them. Attracted to Micheal, Jean decides to cover up the business with the corpse although Marian is a bit more skeptical. Now Michael has to find out not only who kidnapped him but who murdered his cousin, a man from whom he might have inherited money. Seems he not only had the means but the motive. 

James Kenney

Hidden Homicide is a twisty British thriller that sets up an intriguing situation, although one has to suspend disbelief at times. The acting is sufficient, with James Kenney [The Gelignite Gang] having fun as Oswald, a presumed friend of Michael's who comes to Jean's assistance at one point. The plot is the kind of convoluted thing you would see years later in Italian giallo films, and frankly this could have used a couple of gruesome murders. It does have some lively moments, and a couple of good twists, but it's also a little too weird and disjointed. Kenny is quite good in this. 

Verdict: Moderately entertaining. **1/2.  

THE GELIGNITE GANG

Wayne Morris

THE GELIGNITE GANG (aka The Dynamiters/1956. Director: Francis Searle. 

In London a gang are committing robberies by using dynamite -- or gelignite, as it is known in the UK. The head of this gang is the mysterious "Mr. G." Jimmy Baxter (Wayne Morris) is an insurance investigator who decides to go after this gang, much to the consternation of his partner, John Rutherford (Patrick Holt), who thinks this is a dangerous business best left to the police. Jimmy and John share a secretary, Sally (Sandra Dorne), whom John is smitten with, although she prefers Jimmy. She decides to help Jimmy by investigating a pawn shop that may have something to do with the gang. Then there's young Chris Chapman (James Kenney), who works in a jewelry store that is robbed, has big gambling debts, and may also be involved in the gang. A club owner named Popoulos (Eric Pohlmann), who may be a bit on the shady side, offers some assistance after his head waiter is shot trying to get info to Jimmy. 

The Gelignite Gang is a gritty and fast-paced, if distinctly minor, crime drama with some effective performances, although Wayne Morris at times seems to have wandered in from a different movie. The identity of "Mr. G" will not be much of a surprise to most viewers. 

Verdict: Unremarkable British B movie. **.