Three Steps in the Dark ** (1953, Greta Gynt, Hugh Sinclair, Sarah Lawson, Hélène Cordet, Elwyn Brook-Jones) – Classic Movie Review 11,838

Director Daniel Birt’s 1953 British black and white crime thriller second feature Three Steps in the Dark stars Greta Gynt, Hugh Sinclair, Sarah Lawson and Hélène Cordet. The capable whodunit screenplay by Brock Williams is based on a standard story by Roger East. It is only a humble B-movie, but it is an interesting one, surviving unexpectedly in the DVD era after disappearing for years, even included on a Most Wanted list of missing British feature films.

Nicholas Hannen plays cantankerous rich old Arnold Burgoyne, who makes a fatal move in announcing at a family reunion that he intends altering his will. Unfortunately, he is murdered before doing so. And then his thriller-writer niece Sophie Burgoyne (the alluring Greta Gynt) investigates.

The story may be fairly thin and slightly dull but nevertheless this short Brit Fifties crime filler thriller is a rather intriguing, nicely cast and brisk little item. Hugh Sinclair co-stars as Philip Burgoyne.

Also in the cast are Elwyn Brook-Jones, Nicholas Hannen, Alastair Hunter, Katie Johnson (from The Ladykillers), Neil Hallett, lan Robinson and Raymond Young.

At one time the British Film Institute included it on its 75 Most Wanted list of missing British feature films, but the National Film and Sound Archive in Australia informed them it had the film, and it was painstakingly restored and released by Odeon Entertainment on DVD in 2013.

Daniel Birt’s directorial career, mostly in crime thriller second features, was cut short by his early death at the age of 47 in 1955.

Norwegian actress, singer and dancer Greta Gynt (born Margrethe Woxholt; 15 November 1916 – 2 April 2000) is remembered for her starring roles in the British classic films The Dark Eyes of London, Mr Emmanuel, Take My Life, Dear Murderer, The Ringer (1952) and Easy Money (1948). She supported Sid Field in the notorious big-budget flop London Town (1946).

The cast are Greta Gynt as Sophie Burgoyne, Hugh Sinclair as Philip Burgoyne, Sarah Lawson as Dorothy, Elwyn Brook-Jones as Wilbraham, John Van Eyssen as Henry Burgoyne, Nicholas Hannen as Arnold Burgoyne, Hélène Cordet as Esme, Alastair Hunter as Inspector Forbes, Katie Johnson as Mrs Riddle, Neil Hallett, lan Robinson and Raymond Young.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,838

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