No Trace *** (1950, Hugh Sinclair, Dinah Sheridan, John Laurie, Barry Morse, Dora Bryan) – Classic Movie Review 13,484

The 1950 British second feature thriller film No Trace stars Hugh Sinclair as a crime novelist asked to help the police investigate the murder he has committed.

Director John Gilling’s 1950 British second feature crime film No Trace stars Hugh Sinclair, Dinah Sheridan, John Laurie, Barry Morse, and Dora Bryan.

No Trace is another well-made little filler thriller from the Robert S Baker/ Monty Berman production team, with an ancient plot about a crime novelist (Hugh Sinclair) killing an American blackmailer, a criminal associate from his dodgy past, and then pretending to help the police solve the case after a Scotland Yard friend invites his assistance. The novelist then writes a novel based on the murder, and next his loyal secretary Linda (Dinah Sheridan) starts investigating, thinking she is helping, but finds he is the guilty one.

It is an enjoyable antique ‘B’ thriller, quite nicely and briskly done, and its better-than-average cast gives it a lift. Sinclair stars as the wicked Robert Southley, Dinah Sheridan plays his nice but nosey secretary, Linda, who is soon in mortal danger when she sniffs out the truth, and John Laurie is the Scottish police inspector on the case. Sinclair’s chilly personality is ideal for his character, and he is given space for a good workout of his acting. Sheridan is appealing and Laurie is entertaining.

The screenplay is written by director John Gilling, based on a story by the film’s co-producer Robert S Baker.

It is shot at Twickenham Film Studios, Richmond upon Thames, and on location in London and Buckinghamshire.

Release date: 8 September 1950 (UK).

The cast

The cast are Hugh Sinclair as Robert Southley, Dinah Sheridan as Linda, John Laurie as Inspector MacDougall, Barry Morse as Sergeant Harrison, Dora Bryan as Maisie Phelps, Michael Brennan as Mike Fenton, Anthony Pendrell as Stevens, Michael Ward as Clooney, Ernest Butcher as Fern, Madoline Thomas as Mrs Green, Beatrice Varley as Mrs Finch, Sidney Vivian as barman, Hal Osmond as taxi driver, Sam Kydd as mechanic, Ronald Leigh-Hunt as Party Guest, Jean Lodge as Party Guest, Pat Hagan as Police Constable, and Michael Evans.

No Trace is directed by John Gilling, runs 76 minutes, is made by Tempean Films, is released by Eros Films (UK), is written by John Gilling (screenplay) and Robert S Baker (story), adapted by Carl Nystrom, is shot in black and white by Monty Berman and Eric Besche (camera operator), is produced by Robert S Baker and Monty Berman, and is scored by John Lanchbery.

© Derek Winnert 2025 – Classic Movie Review 13,484

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