Edgar Wallace Change Partners (1959–1965) watch online HD

An adulterous couple turn to murder, only to discover that a petty crook and blackmailer has already had his eye upon them. Zena Walker is convincingly ruthless as the dominant partner, driving Basil Henson on to carry out her plans. Kenneth Cope does well as the chancer who thinks he's struck lucky (though it's evident he was wearing a hairpiece by the time he starred in Randall And Hopkirk Deceased...!) One slight mystery is why Pamela Ann Davy as his girlfriend is billed so far down in the cast, below the murdered spouses, since her part is a good deal more important to the story.

This is one of the later Edgar Wallace films, without the "statue in the mist" opening titles. The series was obviously running down commercially by this time, but those last few episodes include several of my favourites, full of low-budget atmosphere.

Ricky Gallen (Basil Henson), the co-director of a firm called Arkwright and Gallen, is having an affair with the strong willed Anna (Zena Walker), the wife of his senior partner Ben Arkwright (Anthony Dawson). However, Gallen's wife, Betty, is also cheating him for Arkwright. In order to gain full control over the company and to get married, Anna persuades the weak willed Gallen to help murder their partners. He jams the ignition on Arkwright's car and persuades Betty to drive him home from a shareholders meeting. Anna, lying in wait for them, locks them in the garage and the pair die from inhaling exhaust fumes. As they planned, the police believe it to be a suicide pact but their seemingly foolproof plan is shattered when small time blackmailer, Joe Trent (Kenneth Cope), demands money having seen Gallen tamper with the car and put two and two together. Anna persuades Gallen to carry out another murder but, unfortunately, this time they get more than they bargained for...

An excellent starting point for those wishing to sample this notable and long running b-pic crime series. It is a good example of the show's superior production values and better casts than one usually associated with British second features. It has a gripping plot which is tightly directed by Robert Lynn and the leading performances are striking. Zena Walker in particular as the strong willed and manipulative Anna who twists the weak willed Gallen around her little finger into committing murder. But, when he finally cracks and attempts to take his own life, she's prepared to cut and run taking all the money with her. In addition, the film is bolstered by a strong feeling for place and period - in this case the early 1960's, made all the more so by its black and white camera-work. The suspense aspect is quite good and there's a nice twist in its tail - again, something badly lacking in many a second feature.

More twists and turns than usual in this episode of a highly underrated TV series. Zena Walker's performance as the ruthless schemer is all the more impressive given she forgoes any overtly emotional expressions... either visually or verbally. I was reminded of Phyllis Dietrichson in "Double Indemnity" at times. Kenneth Cope is surprisingly convincing as a villain - but what's that car he's driving? Looks like it's from the 1920s! One or two holes in the storyline, non-sequiturs, if you like, but these shows mustn't be judged too harshly. Budgets were low and shooting time was extremely tight. Great entertainment - perfect for passing an hour on a wet Tuesday afternoon (as I did). Not quite my favourite episode (that remains "Flat Two") but up there in the top 5.