Agnes "Astra" Huston, a fortune teller at a run-down fair, is found strangled in her bedroom. As the police question five suspects, their interactions with her are shown in flashbacks from their point of view.
Jean Kent
Agnes / Madame Astra / Parrot (voice)
Dirk Bogarde
R.W. (Bob) Baker
John McCallum
Michael Murray
Susan Shaw
Catherine Taylor
Hermione Baddeley
Mrs. Finch
Charles Victor
Albert Pollard
Duncan Macrae
Supt. Lodge
Lana Morris
Lana Clark
Joe Linnane
Inspector Butler
Vida Hope
Shirley Jones
John Boxer
Detective Lucas
Albert Chevalier
W.T. Gunter
Julian D'Albie
Police Surgeon
Anthony Dawson
Inspector Wilson
Richard Dunn
Police Sergeant
Ian Fleming
Doctor
Nora Gordon
Neighbour
Helen Goss
Neighbour
Everley Gregg
Lipstick Customer
Duncan Lamont
Barney
Tom Macaulay
Flashy Man
John Martin
Police Photographer
Josephine Middleton
Mrs. Hengist
Richard Pearson
Detective
Robert Scroggins
Alfie Finch
Merle Tottenham
Neighbour
Director
Anthony Asquith
Screenplay, Story
John Cresswell
December 30, 2024
7
Rhetorical question but how is it possible to murder a fortune teller? Surely she should have anticipated the crime and had the constabulary ready and waiting? Well apparently not as "Madame Astra" (Jean Kent) is found slain. It falls to policeman "Lodge" (Duncan Macrae) to try and piece together just what might have happened to her. Now it was a fairly tight knit community and this woman wasn't universally liked. She didn't exactly get on with her sister, nor with her intended (Dirk Bogarde) of whom it has to be said is probably a bit of a rake. Meantime, she seems to have taken advantage of local shopkeeper "Pollard" (Charles Victor) as well as seafaring man "Michael" (John McCallum) and all under the nosey gaze of her housekeeper "Mrs. Finch" (Hermione Baddeley). Many of their alibis overlap and it's interesting for the copper to learn a few different permutations of the lead up to events and the one thing that is certain: she was a bit of a manipulatrix who was perfectly prepared to use her wiles to her own advantage. It's nice to see Macrae given a part a little more substantial than his usual professional Scotsman and I did quite enjoy the efforts from Baddeley and the multi-faceted Kent as the mystery gradually comes together. It's one of those whodunits where you feel half way through that the killer probably merited a medal rather than the noose, but that's always assuming they get caught!
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$0.00
Revenue:
$0.00