Antonius Block A wonderful, tight drama that begins with a British gentleman (Robert Newton) turning up unexpectedly to surprise his wife (Sally Gray) and her American lover (Phil Brown). Angered by her string of infidelities, he's planned the perfect revenge, but I won't describe the plot further. I loved the intelligent, British dialogue put side by side with a truly dark crime. The performances are fine, and director Edward Dmytryk creates a nice noir feeling. The detective played by Naunton Wayne is a forerunner of Columbo, turning up to ask 'one more question' with a veneer of innocence, but flashing his understanding and unnerving the culprit. A hidden gem.

Robert J. Maxwell I wouldn't call this suspense movie a masterpiece but it's well written and acted. And the musical score is, improbably, by Nino Rota. I found it a little claustrophobic and very dark, although the banter is light-hearted enough, even as Robert Newton plots the murder of his wife, Sally Gray's, most recent lover and a cute little shaggy dog runs around making a general nuisance of himself.If it doesn't remind you of Hitchcock's (or Knott's) "Dial M For Murder," it can only be because you haven't seen "Dial M For Murder." Newton is a suave and unflappable London psychiatrist. He's tired of his wife's serial philandering, so he kidnaps the latest of them, the American Phil Brown, and chains him up in a nearby garage. The idea is to keep good old Phil alive until his disappearance more or less blows over, then kill him, dissolve his body in acid, and let the whole business swirl down the drain.The cursed dog, in a playful mood, discovers the arrangement and now Newton must dispose of the dog in the same way. It may have been Newton's only sound idea.The disappearance of a foreign nobody, who may have taken off for foreign climes as far as anyone knows, and a dog that's run away. No need for Scotland Yard to get involved, let alone to start homing in on Newton. Yet the Yard does, in the person of the diminutive and chipper Naunton Wayne. Even during his first visit to the Newton house, he insinuates that Newton is somehow involved.Newton plays the murderer manque absolutely straight, his diction precise, his demeanor impeccable and blameless. Except for one lapse, an Americanism he's picked up from his prisoner chained in the garage -- "Thanks, Pal." He only says it once but it's the wrong time and place. The dialog adds some necessary sparkle to the rather grim story and bleak prospect that looms over the film.The weakest performance, which isn't terrible by any means, is Phil Brown's, the Yank. He's too cheerful and willfully snide with his captor, knowing he's to be killed. I mean, why insult the guy who's going to murder you? As the wife, Sally Gray hasn't much to do but look pretty, wear the revolting, long "new look" dresses of the period. My God, they were ugly. She's involved in a finely written, ironic ending. The dog, given a choice, runs to Phil Brown and ignores her calls. And the ending isn't tragic. Nobody dies. Newton is only imprisoned and the authorities will doubtless make him the chief librarian.

JLRMovieReviews Robert Newton is personally affronted by the way his wife, actress Sally Gray, and her latest man have been carrying on right in front of him and with the ease and lack of concern for his feelings that she has for him. In fact, she's done this before, flirting with men and being seen with the opposite sex out in public without her husband. Robert had come to the point and decision that he would kill the next man that did it. So this man is his victim. He goes through a very detailed, meticulous plan. He kidnaps him, holds him, and lets him suffer a bit. But how will he actually murder him? What's in the hidden room? This is one of best unknown British films I have seen in a long while. The characters are very real to the viewer, as we are drawn in Robert's world of revenge from the very beginning. We actually feel for Robert Newton, that is, until one moment when it's obvious his state of mind is unreasonable and we see the victim weakening. Enough is enough! Right! Well, you won't believe what happens! If you want a good mystery with unexpected twists, then this is a must-see film.

tomreynolds2004 Robert Newton is a Doctor and a gentleman. But even he can be pushed too far from his manipulative cheating wife, Storm. Sally Gray gives a devastatingly perfect performance as Storm. Her callow suitor-du-jour, an American sailor named Bill, doesn't have the faintest idea of the peril he's in for when he dates her. Newton's character has nothing in particular against Bill. In fact, he rather likes him. He just happens to be the straw that broke the camel's back.It's all played out in a single hidden room that no one knows Newton owns, and the psychological effects the situation has on its three principal is explored to its utmost. If you enjoy film noir, and taut character studies, this is the movie for you. Don't miss the dark-humoured twist ending!