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» » Suspended Alibi (1957)

Short summary

A married editor who is having an affair pretends that he is visiting an army friend, to keep his wife from suspecting him of infidelity. But while he is with the girlfriend, his friend is murdered, and the editor is suspected of the crime.

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Cordaron
    "Suspended Alibi" is a fairly interesting mystery with some moments of suspense, and some interesting characters, but it is pulled down by relying too heavily on implausible developments.

    The beginning is interesting, and creates lots of possibilities. A married editor (Patrick Holt) is having an affair with a female reporter, and has been using an old army friend as an alibi, telling his wife that he is with the friend while he really visits his girlfriend. But one night his army friend turns up murdered, and suspicion naturally rests on the editor.

    The story that follows has some moments of good suspense, as the editor tries to clear himself in the face of strong skepticism about his alibi. The editor's wife, his nosy neighbors, and some of his loyal employees from his publication also get involved. The main problem is that too much of what develops is based on coincidence or on other unlikely plot elements, and it keeps this from being a really good mystery. (This comment won't give away anything by mentioning specifics - if you see it, you can decide for yourself how plausible it all is.)

    The story still has some good moments, and many mystery/suspense fans will still find it worth watching. Once you are involved, you will probably want to stay until the end to find out what happens.
  • comment
    • Author: Mall
    Suspended Alibi is a quite acceptable murder mystery. The story is of a newspaper editor whose attempts to prove an alibi for a murder are made more difficult by his infidelity. His situation is further complicated when his mistress is also murdered. After being convicted, he is saved by some unlikely evidence, in the form of a propelling pencil. The film is better than average because of some of its more creative film techniques (fast fades and close ups), and by the fact that the mystery is solved, but there is no final resolution.
  • comment
    • Author: Ueledavi
    A rather civilized little film, well-crafted and scripted in a polished but understated way, and populated with good actors. A husband in a rather morally complex situation finds himself suspected of a murder, and additional complications ensue in a well-nuanced and believable fashion. The story is told economically and intimately, with both momentum and narrative skill. While in every way a B-picture, it's a class effort, containing all the usual trappings of a British drama involving murder and "the Yard" yet managing to sidestep expected clichés or stereotypical characters. It was clearly shot inexpensively, 95% on the soundstage, and yet its occasional exteriors were well-chosen and effectively integrated to represent the characters who supposedly live within the various buildings. Indeed the entire production seems informed by intelligent choices by all concerned.

    Perhaps not quite "a classic," but certainly a good, solid British noir well worth a look. It's enjoyable and rather satisfying in its own modestly distinctive way. An additional and notable highlight is a young Honor Blackman at her most radiantly beautiful in a distinctively three-dimensional portrayal of the wife of the suspect.
  • comment
    • Author: Jube
    The first half of this movie was quite good with an intriguing plot and good characters. But the second half strained credibility. The evidences didn't fully work for me. And the ending was rushed. The acting was good. Andrew Kier was unrecognizable from his later roles as Professor Quatermass. Overall it's still an enjoyable viewing.
  • comment
    • Author: Cordanius
    This is an entertaining thriller but as has been mentioned in another review there are flaws in the plot.The most glaring of these is when the killer goes to see the mistress.It is rather unclear why he would do this.Was he out to kill her or was he just trying to see if anything she might say would lead to him.The film never really gets round this.then at the climax he goes away before the execution.It is not clear why he does this.It would have made more sense to wait for the following day.Also for a man trying to cause as little fuss as possible taking away more than the permitted amount of sterling was bound to lead to trouble
  • Cast overview, first billed only:
    Patrick Holt Patrick Holt - Paul Pearson
    Honor Blackman Honor Blackman - Lynn Pearson
    Valentine Dyall Valentine Dyall - Inspector Kayes
    Naomi Chance Naomi Chance - Diana
    Lloyd Lamble Lloyd Lamble - Waller
    Andrew Keir Andrew Keir - Sandy Thorpe
    Frederick Piper Frederick Piper - Mr. Beamster
    Viola Lyel Viola Lyel - Mrs. Beamster
    Bryan Coleman Bryan Coleman - Bill Forrest
    Wally Patch Wally Patch - Porter
    Jeanette Hutchinson Jeanette Hutchinson - Secretary
    Toby Winterbottom Toby Winterbottom - Bobby Pearson
    Madoline Thomas Madoline Thomas - Granny
    Edgar Wreford Edgar Wreford - Prison Chaplain
    John Baker John Baker - Post Supervisor
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