The Voice of Merrill [Murder Will Out] *** (1952, Valerie Hobson, James Robertson Justice, Edward Underdown) – Classic Movie Review 13,184

The 1952 British mystery film The Voice of Merrill is a tense, convoluted murder mystery with a trio of suspects – James Robertson Justice, his wife Valerie Hobson and her lover Edward Underdown – in deep trouble after a blackmailer is murdered.

Writer/ director John Gilling’s 1952 British mystery film The Voice of Merrill [Murder Will Out] is a tense, satisfyingly convoluted murder mystery with a trio of suspects – James Robertson Justice, his wife Valerie Hobson and her writer-lover Edward Underdown – in deep trouble after a blackmailer is murdered.

It is an above-average thriller from the Monty Berman and Robert Baker production team, with taut handling, a challenging puzzle, atmospheric photography, and a good climax.

It has a strong cast and there are four believable and charismatic main performances – from the three stars Valerie Hobson, James Robertson Justice and Edward Underdown, plus Garry Marsh as the inspector.

It is shot at Twickenham Studios, with some London location shooting.

The Voice of Merrill [Murder Will Out] is directed by John Gilling, runs 83 minutes, is made by Tempean Films, is released by Eros Films, is written by John Gilling, based on an original story by Gerald Landeau and Terence Austin, is shot in black and white by Monty Berman, is produced by Monty Berman and Robert Baker, scored by Frank Cordell, and designed by the art director Wilfred Arnold.

Cast: Valerie Hobson as Alycia Roach, James Robertson Justice as Jonathan Roach, Edward Underdown as Hugh Allen, Henry Kendall as Ronald Parker, Garry Marsh as Inspector Thornton, Sam Kydd as Sgt Baker, Ian Fleming as Dr Forrest, Daniel Wherry as Pierce, Daphne Newton as Miss Quinn, and Alvar Lidell as radio announcer

Australian character actor Ian Fleming (born Ian Macfarlane; 10 September 1888 – 1 January 1969) appeared in more than 100 British films. He is remembered as Dr Watson in four 1930s Sherlock Holmes films with Arthur Wontner: The Sleeping Cardinal (1931), The Missing Rembrandt (1932), The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes
(1935) and Silver Blaze (1937).

Release dates: December 1952 (UK) April 1953 (US).

© Derek Winnert 2024 – Classic Movie Review 13,184

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