Trent's Last Case

This viewer is not exactly a devotee of the films of Herbert Wilcox but this one is not at all bad. E. C. Bentley had intended his novel to be a parody and although Wilcox has chosen to play it straight one cannot actually take it too seriously. This director's notable lack of flamboyance happens to suit this rather innocuous, teddibly civilised period piece very well.

It is presented by Republic Pictures for whom Orson Welles had made his bizarre 'Macbeth.' One is intrigued by his third billing and eagerly awaits his appearance. It is certainly worth the wait as his Mephistophelian presence and basso profundo are absolutely magnetic. It seems as if we are suddenly in an entirely different film and one is hardly surprised to learn that Welles wrote and directed his own scenes!

As for the rest of the film we have the debonair Michael Wilding, certainly no stranger to Wilcox, who is well cast as Bentley's engaging amateur sleuth of the title. Playing the widow of the millionaire who is assumed to have committed suicide, although Trent suspects foul play, is Margaret Lockwood. It is far more difficult to play 'good' than 'bad' and Miss Lockwood is more effective when playing the latter. The same comment would also apply to John McCallum as the prime suspect. The delightful Miles Malleson is, well.....Miles Malleson!

There is splendid use made of the Larghetto from Mozart's C minor piano concerto which suits the melancholy mood of the film.

By far the best scene(surprise, surprise) is one directed and wonderfully lit by Welles in which he and John McCallum discuss Shakespeare's depiction of a husband's jealousy in 'Othello'. Welles remarks that he had recently seen this play performed at St. James's Theatre and was none too keen on the leading actor. He is of course referring to, yes, you've guessed it........ himself!