hwg1957-102-265704 Review of Burnt Evidence

Burnt Evidence (1954)

"Perhaps you'd like to tell me about these ups and downs"

[6/10 · 25 March 2023]

A carpenter Jack Taylor can't make a go of his business so in a fit of depression plans to kill himself in his workshop but his wife's lover Jimmy Thompson (another reason for his unhappiness) goes to dissuade him. They get into a fight, an accident happens and the place goes up in smoke. Later on one body is found in the gutted building but who is it? The answer is sought by Bob Edwards and Alf Quinney of Scotland Yard. At only 61 minutes long the film doesn't outstay its welcome. The policeman played by Meredith Edwards and Cyril Smith are the best part of the film. Would have liked to see them in further films as their characters but that was not to be. Also good was Jane Hylton as Diana Taylor, torn between her husband and her gentleman friend though as another reviewer has mentioned she seems too glamorous to be a suburban housewife. And Irene Handl of course steals all the scenes she is in. It's not awful but not great either.