Review: Trent’s Last Case

Business tycoon Orson Welles (seen in flashbacks) is shot dead, with investigative reporter Michael Wilding put on the case. Margaret Lockwood is Welles’ widow, John McCallum his loyal but seemingly secretive aide. Miles Malleson plays Lockwood’s uncle.

 

Mostly colourless 1952 mystery from director Herbert Wilcox (“The Lady With a Lamp”, “The Heart of a Man”) had a conclusion I didn’t predict, but I also can’t say I cared much. The film takes a good while to really kick into gear and once it does it still doesn’t fire up much interest. Michael Wilding’s slightly cheeky performance as the detective was the only thing keeping me awake here. Orson Welles’ late participation is curious, it’s such a nondescript film and his lively, if unsubtle cameo performance isn’t enough to lift the film. He’s fine, but why is he here? A pretty big waste of the always solid Miles Malleson in a nondescript role as well. I must say leading lady Margaret Lockwood didn’t do much for me, nor the third-rate Stewart Granger wannabe (John McCallum).

 

More ‘Who cares’ than whodunit here, I’m afraid. Based on an E.C. Bentley novel (which had been adapted multiple times prior), the screenplay is by Pamela Bower (“The Heart of a Man”). This one didn’t do much for me, your mileage may wildly differ.

 

Rating: C   

 

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