1961 British film by Donovan Winter
The Trunk is a low budget, black and white 1961 British mystery film directed by Donovan Winter and starring Phil Carey, Julia Arnall and Dermot Walsh.[1]
Plot
Trouble ensues when Lisa marries Henry, a British lawyer. Lisa's jealous ex-boyfriend Stephen decides to take revenge by convincing her that she has killed Diane, her husband's ex-girlfriend. Lisa gives Stephen the money he wants to keep quiet and dispose of the corpse. Unfortunately, the dead woman's other ex-lover, Nicholas, sees the two together. After getting his money from Lisa, Stephen puts Diane's body in a trunk and drives to an isolated area. There he discovers that the woman is not feigning death; she has been killed by the jealous Nicholas, in a manner that will incriminate Stephen.
Cast
- Phil Carey as Stephen Dorning
- Julia Arnall as Lisa Maitland
- Dermot Walsh as Henry Maitland
- Vera Day as Diane
- Peter Swanwick as Nicholas Steiner
- John Atkinson as Matt
- Betty Le Beau as Maria
- Tony Quinn as porter
- Robert Sansom as bank manager
- Pippa Stanley as Mrs. Stanhope
- Richard Nellor as Sir Hubert
- Nicholas Tanner as policeman
Critical reception
Monthly Film Bulletin said "Frame-ups, red herrings, theatrical atmosphere and a twist ending, all equally unbelievable, add up to a utility piece of melodramatic nonsense, nowhere really clever enough to arouse much enthusiasm."[2]
TV Guide wrote, "the movie is badly produced and too seamy for its own good."[3]
In The New York Times, Bosley Crowther wrote, "now that the British are importing American actors to commit homicide in their low-budget movies, they seem to have lost their flair." Crowther called it a "foolish melodrama" that is "several kilometers removed from Agatha Christie."[4]
Sky Movies called it a "creepy little thriller" that is "hugely enjoyable. The director doesn't miss a trick at tightening up the suspense."[5]
References
External links
