The Flaw (1955 film)
The Flaw is a 1955 British crime film directed by Terence Fisher, and starring John Bentley and Donald Houston.[1] It was a remake of the 1933 film of the same name.[2] A racing car driver plots to murder his wealthy wife, but reckons without the interventions of the family lawyer.[3]
| The Flaw | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Terence Fisher |
| Produced by | Brandon Fleming Geoffrey Goodheart |
| Screenplay by | Brandon Fleming |
| Story by | Brandon Fleming |
| Starring | John Bentley |
| Music by | Gerrey Levey |
| Cinematography | Cedric Williams |
| Edited by | Carmen Belaieff |
Production company | Cybex Film Productions Ltd. |
| Distributed by | Renown Pictures Corporation (UK) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 61 min. |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Plot
The film begins at a Formula 1 motor race. It is won by Paul Oliveri who is greeted by his girlfriend Monica after the race.
We jump a year to a coastal hotel where Paul proposes to monica on the balcony and she says yes as long as he gives up motor racing. We then jump again to the wedding reception.
They have a nice house in Kensington. Monica finds Paul writing his will and decides to do likewise. They ask Parker the butler to witness their signatures.
Within a year Paul is having an affair and Monica's old friend Jack Millway (who is also her solicitor) tells her of this. Monica is from a rich family and has given Paul £20,000 in the first year without question - but now she questions - and reveals to him that she knows of his affair. She says she is leaving home and going to Surrey.
Paul goes alone to the theatre in London's West End. He makes a fuss about changing his booked seat at the box office and is sure he is noticed. He goes to the theatre bar, again making sure he is noticed then circles back and leaves. He tracks down John Millway and invites him back to his house for a drink. Paul starts discussing his wish to kill Monica then he explains how he is going to kill Jack, relating the movements of his evening. Paul then says he would poison his drink and explains how he will dispose of the body. He tells him his body will never be found. Jack starts to slowly die and demands to be allowed to leave.
Paul says he has already murdered someone the same way: a business partner in Montevideo. Jack dies. Paul puts the body in his car as per his plot.
Cast
- John Bentley as Paul Oliveri
- Donald Houston as John (Jack) Millway
- Rona Anderson as Monica Oliveri ((nee Monica Cruson)
- Tonia Bern as Vera
- Doris Yorke as Mrs. Bower
- J. Trevor Davies as Sir George Bentham
- Cecilia Cavendish as Lady Bentham
- Vera Mechechnie as Nancy
- Ann Sullivan as Enid
- June Dawson as Mrs Kelver
- Langley Howard as Harman
- Gerry Levey as Night Club Singer
- Herbert St. John as Theatre Manager
- Christine Bocca as Box-Office Girl
- Derek Barnard as Commissionaire
- Andrew Leigh as Old Theatregoer
- Eric Aubrey as Young Man