malcolmgsw
There is far too much music and not enough mystery.It means that the film lasts 15 minutes more then need be.Alex Nicol is yet another key lagged American who stumbled unwisely into a situation that leads to murder..He then spends the rest of the film trying to solve who is the murderer between blowing his own trumpet.It really is not particularly exciting.
JohnHowardReid
Terence Fisher directed the 1954 "The Black Glove" (British title: "Face the Music") for Hammer in which Alex Nicol starred before he made the far more important "House Across the Lake" for writer- director Ken Hughes. In this "Face the Music", Nicol is a cornet player (his solos are superbly dubbed by Kenny Baker, who can also be spotted on screen as the band leader) who becomes innocently involved with a girl (Ann Hanslip) who is later found murdered. Despite the familiar plot, Fisher manages to create a fair amount of atmosphere and tension before the final somewhat disappointing climax in which the real killer is unmasked. Fortunately, the film is strong on milieu and music, and also has some smart dialogue. However, Eleanor Summerfield is wasted in a nothing role (although it starts promisingly). And at 85 minutes, the film is longer than most "B" movies. But what could you cut? I wouldn't like to cut any of the musical numbers. You could take the scissors to Paul Carpenter's role, but he not only provides some much-needed action, but he's mighty convincing as well. In any event, his role is, if anything, too short! (Available on an excellent VCI DVD coupled with a U.S.A. cut-down of "Third Party Risk" a.k.a."The Big Deadly Game")
mark.waltz
The brassy sounds of Alex Nicol's trumpet blare as he tries to find who came in to a rising singer's apartment after he left and killed her. Having left his horn behind, he is naturally the first suspect, even though he's at the height of his popularity and the current toast of London. Determined to clear himself, he visits everybody she knew and the list of suspects add up. Along the way, he meets her grieving sister (Eleanor Summerfield), a hard-boiled second rate night club singer who was intensely envious of her sister and slowly reveals her innermost feelings to him, a soul riddled with insecurities, self-hatred and a desire to escape from her tortured lack of self-esteem.Nicol is excellent in this look of London's jazz clubs and recording studios where a rise to fame from dive pubs and second rate recording studios can be more important than a spaghetti dinner. The revealing hatred towards the dead girl increase as characteristics of her are revealed that made her not as nice as she seemed. The musical sequences (both vocal and instrumental) are quite memorable, and the supporting performances are all on the money. This is a delightful surprise in the sometimes mixed bag of British noir, a similar story so well written with acerbic dialog and a great poem duet between Nicol and the murder victim (Ann Hanslip) that is as spicy as the "suppose" conversation between Stanwyck and MacMurray in "Double Indemnity". Then, there's Nicol's sequence of choosing a new trumpet after his has been entered by the police as evidence. It is little details like this that make this sleeper a nice discovery.
Spikeopath
The Black Glove (AKA: Face the Music) is directed by Terence Fisher and adapted to screenplay by Ernest Borneman from his own novel Face the Music. It stars Alex Nicol, Eleanor Summerfield, John Salew, Paul Carpenter and Geoffrey Keen. Out of Hammer Film Productions, music is by Ivor Stanley and Kenny Baker, and cinematography by Jimmy Harvey.Brad Bradley (Nicol) is an American trumpet player in London who finds himself suspected of murdering a lady blues singer. Bogged down by lack of sleep and with only minor clues to work from, Bradley trawls the basement Jazz clubs of the city trying to clear his name.I felt like yesterday's corpse when I finally got away that night.A murder mystery with shades of noir, The Black Glove is a decent viewing experience for the most part but one that is ultimately undone by a weak finale. Clues are followed, mystery element is strong, but the writer cheats a bit as the reveal plays out in Hercule Poirot fashion. The atmosphere and tone of the picture is impressive, we are in a world of low level music bars and one bed apartments, London's bright lights serving as the backdrop as Brad Bradley goes sleuth. He narrates as well, often providing us viewers with some wry or grizzled observations, the dialogue sharp and a bonus aspect in the film. The music is snazzy, with Kenny Baker and his Dozen providing the backbone for this music set drama, the trumpet sections particularly enjoyable. Most of the film is lighted to provide shadows, but one pre-crime shot involving street lamps only makes us lament there wasn't more of this type of photography within. Cast are good enough, especially the likable Nicol, and direction from Fisher, who would go on to become a legend amongst Hammer Horror fans, is safe and assured. 6/10
AD
