The Riverside Murder
The Riverside Murder is a 1935 British crime film directed by Albert Parker and starring Basil Sydney, Judy Gunn and Zoe Davis.[1] A woman reporter helps an inspector solve the deaths of four financiers on the eve of a group shareout. The film was shot at Wembley Studios in London with sets designed by the art director Ralph W. Brinton. A quota quickie, it was produced and distributed by Fox Film.[2] It is based on the 1931 novel The Six Dead Men by Belgian author Stanislas-André Steeman, which was later adapted into the 1941 French film The Last of the Six. The film shifted the setting from France to London. It marked the film debut of Alastair Sim.[3]
The Riverside Murder | |
---|---|
Directed by | Albert Parker |
Written by | |
Based on | The Six Dead Men by Stanislas-André Steeman |
Produced by | Leslie Landau Albert Parker |
Starring | Basil Sydney Judy Gunn Zoe Davis Alastair Sim |
Cinematography | Alex Bryce |
Edited by | Reginald Beck |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Fox Film |
Release date | 5 March 1935 |
Running time | 64 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Plot summary
Robert Norman is shot dead at his home. Inspector Winton arrives on the scene to investigate the murder and finds that it has occurred shortly before an important meeting between a group of five financiers of whom Norman was one. Budding journalist Claire Haines also manages to talk her way into the house in an attempt to impress her editor by gathering exclusive news on the murder. The other financiers realize they are also in danger when another one of their number is murdered.[4]
Inspector Winton sets a trap for the killer using one of the financiers as bait.
Cast
- Basil Sydney as Inspector Philip Winton
- Judy Gunn as Claire Haines
- Zoe Davis as Mrs. Harris
- Alastair Sim as Police Sergeant "Mac" McKay
- Reginald Tate as Hubert Perrin
- Ian Fleming as Henry Sanders
- Tom Helmore as Alfred Jerome
- Martin Lewis as William Gregg
- C. M. Hallard as Dickenson - Norman's Attorney
- Aubrey Mallalieu as Robert Norman
- Ernest Borrow as Superintendent Field
- Sidney Monckton as Globe Reporter
- Albert Parker as Film Director
References
- BFI.org
- Chibnall p.285
- Simpson p.47-48
- "The Riverside Murder". archive.org.
Bibliography
- Chibnall, Steve. Quota Quickies: The Birth of the British 'B' Film. British Film Institute, 2007.
- Low, Rachael. Filmmaking in 1930s Britain. George Allen & Unwin, 1985.
- Simpson, Mark. Alastair Sim: The Real Belle of St Trinian's. The History Press, 2011.
- Wood, Linda. British Films, 1927-1939. British Film Institute, 1986.
External links
- The Riverside Murder at IMDb
- The Riverside Murder is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive