Death of an Angel explained

Death of an Angel is a 1952 British 'B'^[1] crime drama film directed by Charles Saunders and starring Patrick Barr, Jane Baxter and Jean Lodge.^[2] The screenplay was by Reginald Long based on the play This is Mary's Chair by Frank King.

It was filmed at Bray Studios.

Plot

When a doctor's wife is found murdered at their rural practice, suspicion falls on his partner at the surgery.

Cast

• Patrick Barr as Robert Welling
• Jane Baxter as Mary Welling
• Julie Somers as Judy Welling
• Raymond Young as Chris Boswell
• Jean Lodge as Ann Marlow
• Russell Waters as Walter Grannage
• Russell Napier as Supt. Walshaw
• Katie Johnson as Sarah Oddy
• June Bardsley as nurse
• David Stoll as plainclothesman
• Duggie Ascot as taxi driver
• Robert Brown as Jim Pollard
• John Kelly as PC Janes
• James Mills as Howard
• Hal Osmond as railway porter
• Frank Tickle as Sam Oddy

Critical reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Although sometimes disjointed in development, and not too well acted, this murder story manages to sustain a certain suspense."^[3]

Picture Show wrote: "Well staged, efficiently directed and acted thriller."^[4]

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "average", writing: "Some suspense; rather slow for a short film."^[5]

References

1. Book: Chibnall, Steve . The British 'B' Film . McFarlane . Brian . . 2009 . 978-1-8445-7319-6 . London . 79.
2. Web site: Death of an Angel . 12 May 2024 . British Film Institute Collections Search.
3. 1 January 1952 . Death of an Angel . . 19 . 216 . 34 . ProQuest.
4. 19 April 1952 . Death of an Angel . . 58 . 1516 . 10 . subscription . ProQuest.
5. Book: Quinlan, David . British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 . . 1984 . 0-7134-1874-5 . London . 299.