The Teckman Mystery [DVD]

This review is for the Network DVD released on 25 January 2016Lovely crisp black and white print - had to turn the sound up a little, but it was fine after that. As usual, no subtitles.So here are the things we most enjoyed about this 1954 British thriller:* John Justin, looking handsome and very dapper, giving a quietly amusing performance as a Gentleman Jim type of crime writer, commissioned to write the biography of Martin Teckman, a young airman who has died testing a new plane. But there are people who will do anything to stop him. Why?* Margaret Leighton, an actress known for her 'exquisite sense of grandeur and refinement', and she certainly looks very chic and svelte in this* A fine cast of supporting actors, particularly Roland Culver as an MI5 officer* A bottle of Johnny Walker that puts in even more appearances than the brandy (poor Johnny - all those films and not one credit)* The entertaining plot, co-scripted by Francis Durbridge, with plenty of skullduggery, accidents and red herrings to keep you guessing. Sadly, being cursed with an eagle eye (nothing to do with the film itself) I had a good idea who did it right from the beginning, but kept quiet for my husband's sake* The lovely London location shots from Cheyne Walk to the Tower of London, the latter quite extensive* An amusing cameo appearance by Barbara Murray, John Justin's wife at the time. Audiences would have appreciated the joke!

Co-written by the highly inventive and successful creator of Paul Temple, Francis Durbridge, The Teckman Mystery is a 1950s Cold War noir thriller set in London. It has a promising plot about the mysterious misfortunes which befall everyone investigating the life of a test pilot who disappeared.Yet despite Durbridge's talents the plot has rather dated in that pretty much every plot twist is what is now a standard cliche. That is not to say the film is without entertainment, because however straight forward the fare now looks, it is done with vigour, humour and the fun of seeing well known parts of London as they used to look.Acting and filming are both done to high standards, as is the transfer to DVD. Slightly disappointing is the lack of any subtitles or other significant content on the DVD and, if you can, avoid taking too much of a look at the DVD box cover before watching the film for fear of spoilers.

This is a DVD I have had on my wishlist for a while and decided to take a punt on it.Its a pacey film, from the early 60's and I found it twisted and turned from the outset.You'll see a few faces here, Michael Medwin (later in Shoestring) appears.When a chap named Chance is asked to write a biography on a test pilot Martin Teckman, it seems that a strange set of events unfolds like a bad hand of cards.Chance by name, Chance by nature it seems, but will Chance's luck run out as he investigates further?Chance doesn't want the assignment but as things happen, he wants to know more.Its a well made film and takes you right up to the end before the reveal is made.

A fairly routine fifties cold war thriller made interesting by a stylish, almost Hichcockian, climax at the Tower of London. It follows Francis Durbridge's ever-popular formula where bodies appear, people come back from the dead and nothing is what it seems, delivered in a peculiarly English style, less hard boiled than Home counties sophisticated. John Justin plays the suave crime writer brought back from the south of France (the titles are economically superimposed over a postcard of Cannes) to write a biography of a dead test pilot and Margaret Leighton, a highly-strung ice maiden, with tight curls, pearls and a mink stole, plays the dead man's sister.I gleefully swallowed all the red herrings and completely failed to guess the guilty party.While it is certainly no masterpiece, it is not without a certain style and period charm and should appeal to fans of the stars and the genre.

We’ve sent for a few of these lately and we really enjoyed this one. It was great to see the shots of London just after the war and the story itself was like watching one of the stage plays that my father used to take me to in the 1950s. Good story and plot excellent, as expected, with one of the best mystery writers of the time on the case, Francis Durbridge. Great cast too.

This is the first time I have seen this film in the correct ratio format and in brilliant picture quality. The copy I did have was from a TV screening and was a cropped version. This DVD version really has to be seen to be fully appreciated as it adds to the overall dimensions and enjoyment of the film. Francis Durbridge serials were popular on radio, television and in these cinema versions. This story provides plenty of twists. This is just the type of film Network should be releasing.This film has always been a favourite for the actors who are in it and the storyline. I note that David Quinlan awards it a 4 star rating in his book "British Sound Films" and I agree with him.

Thank you to all the reviewers of this film to date (Wednesday, February 03 2016).I was greatly impressed on a first watching and, as always, one has to congratulate the ever-charming Margaret Leighton for another convincing performance. However, I have to admit to being rather worn out at the end having made so many readjustments to posture throughout the weaving process. And, yes, I did spot the “naughty one” quite early on in the film.

An excellent transfer - 16.9 ratio filling my screen, good clear B/W photography. Sound good but a bit low until music kicked in, but that didn't give me any worries. No Subs or trailer, except the usual rather poorly put together ones for Network DVD releases, which are so short as to be useless.Durbridge seldom, if ever lets you down and this is no exception. Highly recomended