The Last Man to Hang
The Last Man to Hang? is a 1956 crime film directed by Terence Fisher. It stars Tom Conway and Elizabeth Sellars.[2] The film was produced by John Gossage for Act Films Ltd.[3]
| The Last Man to Hang? | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Original British quad poster | |
| Directed by | Terence Fisher |
| Produced by | John Gossage |
| Written by | Gerald Bullett Ivor Montagu Max Trell Maurice Elvey |
| Based on | novel The Jury by Gerald Bullett[1] |
| Starring | Tom Conway |
| Music by | John Wooldridge |
| Cinematography | Desmond Dickinson |
| Edited by | Peter Taylor |
Production company | Association of Cinema Technicians (A.C.T.) |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 75 min. |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Plot
Sir Roderick Strood is having an affair with a beautiful singer. His wife finds out but loves him so much she says to go with the singer ad tells him she shall see him on the other side. Sir Roderick gives his wife a strong sedative, given by his mistress, not knowing that his wife's maid had already given a sedative. The wife dies of an overdose.
Stopped at the airport Sir Roderick says "I've killed her".
A jury must decide whether Sir Roderick Strood poisoned his wife Daphne deliberately, or whether her death was accidental.[4] Several references to the debate about the abolition of capital punishment that was going on in British society in the 1950s are made. One protracted jury room scene recalls the play for television Twelve Angry Men, which had been shown on US TV in 1954. The cast includes several actors who would later become household names.
The trial focuses on the semantic difference between "I've killed her" and "I killed her".
He is found not guilty.
In a surprising twist the maid admits that she knew he had not killed the wife as she is actually still alive. She takes him to his wife where the police wait outside to arrest the maid for perjury.
Cast
- Tom Conway as Sir Roderick Strood
- Elizabeth Sellars as Daphne, Lady Strood
- Eunice Gayson as Elizabeth
- Freda Jackson as Mrs. Tucker
- Hugh Latimer as Mark Perryman
- Ronald Simpson as Dr. Cartwright
- Victor Maddern as Bonaker
- Anthony Newley as Cyril Gaskin
- Margaretta Scott as Mrs. Cranshaw
- Leslie Weston as James Bayfield
- Martin Boddey as Detective Sergeant Horne
- Joan Hickson as Mrs. Prynne
- David Horne as Antony Harcombe, Q.C.
- Walter Hudd as the Judge (Mr. Justice Sarum)
- Raymond Huntley as Attorney General
- Harold Siddons as Cheed's Doctor
- Olive Sloane as Mrs. Bayfield
- John Schlesinger as Doctor Goldfinger
- Gillian Lynne as Gladys, Gaskin's girlfriend
References
- Goble, Alan (1 January 1999). "The Complete Index to Literary Sources in Film". Walter de Gruyter – via Google Books.
- "The Last Man to Hang? (1956)".
- Action! Fifty Years in the Life of a Union. Published: 1983 (UK). Publisher: ACTT. ISBN 0 9508993 0 5. ACT Films Limited - Ralph Bond p81 (producer listed as John Gossage)
- "The Last Man to Hang (1956) - Terence Fisher - Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related - AllMovie".