Sat 22 Feb 2020
Movie Review: THE RIVERSIDE MURDER (1935).
Posted by Steve under Mystery movies , Reviews[6] Comments
THE RIVERSIDE MURDER. Fox Film Co. UK, 1935. Basil Sydney (Inspector Philip Winton), Judy Gunn, Zoë Davis, Alastair Sim, Ian Fleming, Tom Helmore, Martin Lewis. Screenplay by Selwyn Jepson, based on the novel Les Six Hommes Morts by André Steeman. Director: Albert Parker.
Most of this rather well done mystery movie takes place in an “old dark house,” British style. Someone is killing off the members of a financial pact in which those still alive at the appointed date and time will share in each others’ fortunes over the length of the pact.
The local inspector (Basil Sydney) thinks he can handle the case without having to call Scotland Yard in, but can he handle the bubbling interference of a young female reporter (Judy Gunn) who always seems to be one step ahead of him? She’s as much of a challenge as solving the murders is.
Long time readers of detective stories will not be challenged all that much by the plot, but it’s still a lot of fun to see it played out as capably as it is here. And fans of one Alistair Sim will not want to miss him in this, his very first film. He plays the inspector’s sergeant and second-in-command on the case, a semi-comic role that doesn’t depend on him being a total nincompoop, either, as those in the same position in many US films of the same variety oh so often turn out to be.
February 22nd, 2020 at 10:43 pm
Sim was briefly typecast as the dim Sgt., often opposite Gordon Harker, but you can see the skills he brings to things already even at this point.
February 22nd, 2020 at 11:39 pm
Right. Even though Judy Gunn is fun to watch in this one, in the feisty Gloria Farrell style, but not quite as brassy, it’s Sim who. whenever he’s on the screen, steals the focus away from the two leads and yet managing to stay in the background. It’s quite a performance.
February 23rd, 2020 at 9:33 am
Is the Ian Fleming in this movie THE Ian Fleming of James Bond fame? If so, how does he fare as an actor?
February 23rd, 2020 at 9:45 am
Hi Paul
A good question, but no, he’s not the same fellow. It’s one of those strange coincidences that the world is filled with. From the actor’s Wikipedia page:
“Ian Fleming (born Ian Macfarlane; 10 September 1888 – 1 January 1969) was an Australian character actor with credits in over 100 British films. He is perhaps best known for playing Dr. Watson in a series of Sherlock Holmes movies of the 1930s opposite Arthur Wontner’s Holmes.
“He also essayed a number of supporting roles in many classic British films of the era including Q Planes (1939), Night Train to Munich (1940), We Dive at Dawn, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (both 1943) and Waterloo Road (1945). He also appeared regularly in the films of musical comedian George Formby. He also acted on stage, appearing as Robert Harley in the Norman Ginsbury’s historical work Viceroy Sarah in the West End.
“Fleming’s later career included appearances in many television series of the 1950s and 1960s such as Fabian of the Yard, Hancock’s Half Hour, Dixon of Dock Green, Dr. Finlay’s Casebook, The Forsyte Saga and The Prisoner.”
February 24th, 2020 at 6:18 pm
Hi! How are You? Hope and pray that You are all alright. Alistair Sim, always like Him, I like how He acts, He is so a perfectionist and He is relax at the same time. He was one of those Actors We never forget, because of His Aura and Charisma.
Another comment I want to make, it is not concerning this movie, but a review that You did five years ago, about a movies with Franco Nero and Giancarlo Prete and Barbara Bach Street Law Il cittadino si ribella (1974) Eurocrime film, There is some five years ago Who said it was better than Death Wish with Charles Bronson, but it is not in the same category of film and in the same vain, Charles Bronson in all His Death Wish movies and some others too, it was a one Man Vigilante and with no help whatsoever or very minor help, compare that Franco Nero in Street Law, He has help and support around Him, but not from the Police though. You can not compare this movie to those like Charles Bronson or Steven Seagal in early films or Clint Eastwood in many of His films, all of those three were very brutal and with no mercy compare to Franco Nero, who can not do it alone. Charles Bronson and Clint Eastwood and Steven Seagal are in a class of Their own, and nobody will replace those kind of actors who were in top shape and doing some stunt work too. Did You see lately How big Steven Seagal is, I would not like to meet Him in the dark. He is quite a Specimen. Thank You for reading all this and patience also. Take good care and God Give You All His Love and Protection.
February 24th, 2020 at 7:48 pm
Serge
I’ll make sure my son Jon, who reviewed that movie almost exactly five years ago, sees your comment. I’ll also repost your comment after that review, so if anyone comes across it, they’ll be sure to see it.