kidboots Brian Clemens had an adventurous life in which he tried journalism, working in a private detective agency and working his way up from a messenger boy at the J. Walter Thompson advertising agency. While there he wrote a screenplay for the B.B.C. - "Valid for a Single Journey Only" and by that, came to the attention of the Danzigers. The Danzigers operated a cheap as chips film company and stories about their penny pinching ways were legendary. Most actors felt that a role in a Danziger film was like the end of the line but with Clemens they had an exciting young writer.This movie was a cut above the usual and John Ireland playing his usual edgy self was an interesting red herring: as John, a draughtsman in line for an Arts directorship who seems to have something on his mind. But the pivotal part proves to be Pam (Susan Stephen) and the "return of a stranger" is all to do with her past. In a particularly seedy sub-plot, Pam was a 14 year old orphan who engendered some unhealthy interest from an older man. She was raped, there was a media spot light trial and the man was sent to prison. Fifteen years later, Pam and John start to receive strange phone calls and neighbours inform her that a man has made inquiries of her. The police pass it off as a "woman's imaginings" (well it was 1960)!! You never see the man's face and because the problems seem to suggest a sabotage threat to do with John's promotion, the viewer is left guessing - also the fact that the back of the man's head doesn't seem to match any other backs!! I agree the opening upbeat music may have been another Clemen's red herring to throw you off the scent!! And poor Susan Stephens sold herself short, retiring soon after this movie she said of her time at the Danzigers "that was about as low as you could go"!!Recommended.

malcolmgsw This thriller does manage to hold its suspense ,at least till near the climax,but eventually rather loses credibility.There are too many plot holes,which at times make it all seem rather silly.John Ireland is effective as the husband.Like many American stars on the decline he has been brought over to try and help get the film an American distribution.It is difficult to realise just how prolific the Danzigers were.However this was really the last decade in which the double bill would play a part in cinemas and in particular B features such as this.they would be replaced with dreadful 20 minute travelogues by the likes of Global Queensway.

wilvram This is a sort of cut price CAPE FEAR from the Danziger Brothers, the people who also gave us a bargain basement Dirty Dozen, TARNISHED HEROES, though in both instances the films were released prior to the appearance of their more illustrious Hollywood counterparts, several years before in the case of HEROES.Bill Le Sage's incongruously jaunty music over the opening credits hardly sets the tone for the grim events to befall Ray and Pam Reed, married with a young son, with Ray in line for promotion at an advertising agency. Pam begins to be stalked and menaced by a creep whom she realises with horror is the man who (apparently) raped her when she was just fourteen, and whom is still obsessed with her. Though he was convicted she has not told Ray about it and more surprisingly doesn't mention it to the police when they commence their inadequate attempts to protect her and the family. The rape incident is not referred to again, as if it wasn't a matter of that much importance, but as we've been hearing quite a bit recently, things were different then. Events build to a melodramatic and slightly absurd confrontation with the offender, and it also stretches credibility that this individual could carry out a murder by sabotaging a lift in an office block. Even so, this is a gripping little film. John Ireland was an actor who could be convincing even with unpromising material and Susan Stephen is sympathetic as Pam. There's even a little bit of location shooting albeit in one of the premises of ubiquitous nineteen sixties supermarket chain Fine Fare.

GUENOT PHILIPPE Written by the great Brian Clemens and produced by the Danzigers - a sort of equivalent of Butchers if the same period - this little thriller from UK is excellent, brilliant for such a tiny production. Acting, editing, score, everything here is worth watching, even if it may sound familiar for movie buffs like me.The tale of a house wife whom the husband - Ireland - is a big executive in a major company, and who is harassed by a mysterious man. A man she met some decades ago, and who searches something about her. Nothing else, but it is enough to keep you stuck to this very good suspenser. The sequence of the death in an elevator is awesome for such a little film.