A Blueprint for Murder *** (1953, Joseph Cotten, Jean Peters, Gary Merrill) – Classic Movie Review 8983

Writer-director Andrew L Stone’s satisfyingly labyrinthine 1953 film noir crime thriller A Blueprint for Murder stars Joseph Cotten as Whitney ‘Cam’ Cameron, who sets out to find the killer of his brother and niece by strychnine poisoning.

He begins to suspect his sister-in-law Lynn Cameron (Jean Peters) and goes after her when she boards a transatlantic boat. But can he save the intended next victim, his nephew?

The blueprint for the film includes tense handling and neat writing by the clever Stone, and the acting is in safe hands with Cotten and Peters, both of them giving admirable performances.

The surprisingly short running time of only 76 minutes helps to keeps it taut, tight and compact.

Also in the cast are Gary Merrill, Catherine McLeod, Jack Kruschen, Barney Phillips, Fred Ridgeway, Mae Marsh, Joyce McCluskey, Jonathan Hale, Harry Carter, Walter Saande, Tyler McVey, Eugene Borden, Carleton Young and George Melford.

A Blueprint for Murder is written by Andrew L Stone, runs 76 minutes, is made by Andrew L. Stone Productions, is released by 20th Century Fox, is written by Andrew L Stone, is shot in black and white by Leo Tover, is produced by Michael Abel, and is scored by Leigh Harline, Lionel Newman (musical director) and David Raksin, with Art Direction by Albert Hogsett and Lyle R Wheeler.

The ship model and interiors were also used for Titanic (1953), Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) and Dangerous Crossing (1953).

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8983

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