| The Man in Black | |
| Director: | Francis Searle |
| Producer: | Anthony Hinds |
| Starring: | Betty Ann Davies Sheila Burrell Sid James Anthony Forwood Valentine Dyall |
| Music: | Rupert Grayson Frank Spencer |
| Cinematography: | Cedric Williams |
| Editing: | John Ferris Ray Pitt |
| Studio: | Hammer Film Productions |
| Distributor: | Exclusive Films |
| Runtime: | 80 minutes |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Language: | English |
The Man in Black is a 1950 British thriller film directed by Francis Searle and starring Betty Ann Davies, Sheila Burrell and Sid James.[1] It was adapted by Hammer Film Productions from the popular British radio series Appointment with Fear featuring Valentine Dyall.[2] Dyall ("The Man in Black" of the radio series) here provides the on-screen introduction to the film, as "The Story-Teller."[3]
After the death of her yogi father during a freak "yoga accident," (brought about by his second wife), Joan Clavering returns home to her widowed stepmother Bertha. Henry Clavering has left a good sum of money to Bertha, but the vast bulk of his fortune to Joan, unless Joan is incapacitated in some way. Bertha conspires with her daughter Janice to drive Joan insane and deprive her of her rightful inheritance.[4] [5] [6]
TV Guide wrote, "The story is drivel, with some unintentionally campy plot developments. It was adapted from a British radio series, perhaps proving that some dramas are better heard than seen."[7]
Fantastic Movie Musings and Ramblings wrote, "One of Hammer's earlier forays into horror. This one is highly recommended."[5]
Leonard Maltin called it a "clever little thriller with some surprises and a rare noncomic role for James."[2]