Tag: 1955

Film

“The Night My Number Came Up,” directed by Leslie Norman

Movie, 1955 Solid, well-told story of a premonition of a plane crash and the gloomy unfolding of all the circumstances which rather suggest a lead up to tragedy. While this all feels very stiff upper-lip, there are some interesting characters and enough British actors to spot and to keep most people happy. The ending, it’s true, feels rushed and entirely underdone, but this is an … Continue reading “The Night My Number Came Up,” directed by Leslie Norman

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"It Came From Beneath the Sea," directed by Robert Gordon

Movie, 1955 Enjoyable hokum with a terrifying radiation powered and enlarged octopus terrifying US nuclear submarines and the Californian Bay Area. While the special effects aren’t entirely cringeworthy, they do lead to some unintentionally funny moments, as tentacles flail all over the place. Just as false are the occasional nods towards gender equality, with Faith Domergue’s character showing great pluck, but then falling for the … Continue reading "It Came From Beneath the Sea," directed by Robert Gordon

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"Three Cases of Murder", directed by David Eady, George More O’Ferrall, Wendy Toye

Movie, 1955 Early portmanteau film, combining horror and supernatural themes across three murder stories. The first has an eerie, circular feel; the second is a more straightforward love triangle and the third a political revenge piece. The stories are a little clumsily pulled together by a narrator, although the film as a whole entertains.. The eeriness of the first section, in particular, has an affecting … Continue reading "Three Cases of Murder", directed by David Eady, George More O’Ferrall, Wendy Toye

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"The Beckoning Lady", by Margery Allingham

Novel, 1955 Essentially, a country house whodunnit, but with mercantile and business characters and some fairly typical moral and other ambiguities popping up here and there. This is a soothing read which handles a large cast of characters and rather fizzles out just as things threaten to really get going. Enjoyable, though neither oddball, tense or mysterious enough to fully grip the attention. The book’s … Continue reading "The Beckoning Lady", by Margery Allingham

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"Watson’s Choice," by Gladys Mitchell

Novel, 1955 Golden age detective novel, which builds an atmosphere and mystery long before a murder is committed, then proceeds to a robust, enjoyable whodunnit. A book which is light and nimble and something of a period piece – particularly noticeable in the treatment of an ‘exotic’ and very psychologically baffling Spaniard. A good example of the morals and morays of an English class, with … Continue reading "Watson’s Choice," by Gladys Mitchell

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