Strange Evidence
1933 British film
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Strange Evidence (also known as Dance of the Witches and Wife in Pawn[1]) is a 1933 British crime film directed by Robert Milton and starring Leslie Banks, George Curzon, Carol Goodner and Frank Vosper.[1] It was written by Lajos Bíró and Miles Malleson, and produced as a quota quickie[2] by Alexander Korda's London Film Productions at British and Dominions Imperial Studios, Elstree, with art direction by R. Holmes Paul.[3][4]
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| Strange Evidence | |
|---|---|
Frank Vosper and Carol Goodner in the film | |
| Directed by | Robert Milton |
| Screenplay by | Miles Malleson Lajos Bíró (story) |
| Produced by | Alexander Korda |
| Starring | Leslie Banks Carol Goodner George Curzon |
| Cinematography | Robert Martin |
| Edited by | Stephen Harris |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Paramount British Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 71 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Preservation status
The British Film Institute National Archive holds a collection of ephemera and stills but no film or video materials.[1]
Plot
A promiscuous wife prefers a love affair with her cousin to caring for her sick husband, while also fighting off the advances of her lust crazed brother-in-law. When her husband is found poisoned to death, she is suspect No.1 for his murder.
Cast
- Leslie Banks as Francis Relf
- Carol Goodner as Marie / Barbara Relf
- George Curzon as Stephen Relf
- Frank Vosper as Andrew Relf
- Norah Baring as Clare Relf
- Haidee Wright as Mrs. Relf
- Lyonel Watts as Henry Relf
- Lewis Shaw as Larry
- Diana Napier as Jean
- Merle Oberon bit part[citation needed]
- Miles Malleson uncredited[citation needed]
Reception
Kine Weekly wrote: "A vague and rather melancholy drama, but one which allows a strong cast of established stage players to exploit their fine talents. The interest is mainly centred in the individual character – a drawing which, fortunately, is lifelike and vital enough to extract some arresting entertainment from the theme, and herein lies the major appeal."[5]
The Daily Film Renter wrote: "Rambling and somewhat unconvincing story of woman wrongly accused of murdering her husband. Direction on pedestrian lines fails to infuse life into flimsy situations and redundant side-issues. Stilted dialogue and undistinguished acting, plus over-abundant footage. Good photography and settings. Booking for the uncritical."[6]
Picturegoer wrote: "An artificial and rather theatrical drama."[7]
Picture Show wrote: "An excellent cast is wasted on this loosely-woven, slow-moving production. ... gloomy atmosphere, dull dialogue, jerky continuity and meandering development."[8]
Film critic Leslie Halliwell called Strange Evidence a "mildly interesting quickie whodunnit".[9]