Episode 21, "Murder is Permanent" marked the last of 7 entries helmed by director Arthur Crabtree, and one of the better ones. Inspector Ames (Ewan Roberts) is none too pleased to find Scotland Yard being summoned by wealthy widow Mrs. Greer (Margaret Halston) because her dog has a tummy ache! Mrs. Greer, whose husband was very kind to Colonel March when he was a boy, owns a beauty salon run by Joseph Latour (Neal Arden), with two employees, masseur Paul Chalford (Patrick Holt), and Annette (Ruth Shiell), all three of whom despise their manipulative employer. Johanna Greer (Elspet Gray), Mrs. Greer's young daughter-in-law, is also widowed, and also has reason to hate her elderly benefactor, who turns up stabbed to death at the salon. By the time Ames learns of Latour's shady past as a plastic surgeon, he has already committed suicide, with his confession soon followed by several more- who to believe? The only thing certain is that that it wasn't Mary the housekeeper (Nora Gordon). Virtually the TV debuts for Neal Arden, Elspet Gray, and Patrick Holt, and the only credit for attractive actress Ruth Shiell. Holt was yet another actor who went on to do both THE AVENGERS (2 episodes) and a James Bond film, 1965's "Thunderball." The banter between Karloff and Roberts is particularly sharp this time around, often providing the best moments in the weaker shows.
Review of Murder Is Permanent
