The Riverside Murder is a 1935 British crime film directed by Albert Parker and starring Basil Sydney, Judy Gunn and Zoe Davis.[1] A woman reporter helps an inspector solve the deaths of four financiers on the eve of a group shareout. The film was shot at Wembley Studios in London with sets designed by the art director Ralph W. Brinton. A quota quickie, it was produced and distributed by Fox Film.[2] It is based on the 1931 novel The Six Dead Men by Belgian author Stanislas-André Steeman, which was later adapted into the 1941 French film The Last of the Six. The film shifted the setting from France to London. It marked the film debut of Alastair Sim.[3]

The Riverside Murder
Directed byAlbert Parker
Written by
Based onThe Six Dead Men by Stanislas-André Steeman
Produced byLeslie Landau
Albert Parker
StarringBasil Sydney
Judy Gunn
Zoe Davis
Alastair Sim
CinematographyAlex Bryce
Edited byReginald Beck
Production
company
Distributed byFox Film
Release date
  • 5 March 1935 (1935-03-05)
Running time
64 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Plot summary

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Robert Norman is shot dead at his home. Inspector Winton arrives on the scene to investigate the murder and finds that it has occurred shortly before an important meeting between a group of five financiers of whom Norman was one. Budding journalist Claire Haines also manages to talk her way into the house in an attempt to impress her editor by gathering exclusive news on the murder. The other financiers realize they are also in danger when another one of their number is murdered.[4]

Inspector Winton sets a trap for the killer using one of the financiers as bait.

Cast

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References

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  1. ^ BFI.org
  2. ^ Chibnall p.285
  3. ^ Simpson p.47-48
  4. ^ "The Riverside Murder". archive.org.

Bibliography

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  • Chibnall, Steve. Quota Quickies: The Birth of the British 'B' Film. British Film Institute, 2007.
  • Low, Rachael. Filmmaking in 1930s Britain. George Allen & Unwin, 1985.
  • Simpson, Mark. Alastair Sim: The Real Belle of St Trinian's. The History Press, 2011.
  • Wood, Linda. British Films, 1927-1939. British Film Institute, 1986.
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