Prescription for Murder (1958) User Reviews

An interesting little thriller!

[JohnHowardReid · 7/10 · 12 July 2017]

A Templar Production, released by 20th Century-Fox Film Corp. Copyright 1958 by Templar Productions. No New York opening. U.S. release: August 1958. U.K. release: 22 March 1958. Australian release: 2 October 1958. 7,645 feet. 85 minutes. Original U.S. release title: RX MURDER.

Alternate titles: PRESCRIPTION FOR MURDER; PRESCRIPTION MURDER; FAMILY DOCTOR; RX FOR MURDER.

SYNOPSIS: Henry Dysert, the leading practitioner of a small Devonshire resort, has lost three wives by sudden and violent means. No touch of suspicion rests upon him, however, until an American, Jethro Jones, arrives and begins a quiet but penetrating investigation. Jones, the earlier husband of one of the wives, wins the confidence of the doctor's secretary, Kitty, who is bedridden with a mysterious illness.

VIEWER'S GUIDE: Adults.

COMMENT: Slow-moving but entertaining thriller, attractively set in a small English seaside resort. Derek Twist's direction is not particularly imaginative, but the acting is pleasing and production values are quite presentable. The script is not without some welcome touches of satire and it is a pity that this vein is not explored further. Mr. Jason gives an ingratiating portrayal, while Sandu Scott makes a brief but effective appearance as his former wife.

Dr. Deadcert

[jotix100 · 6/10 · 20 October 2010]

The arrival of Jethro Jones at an English seaside boarding house for the wealthy attracts the curiosity of the residents. This Mr. Jones has no clue about the formalities about the institution in which he has reserved a room. Typical American, Mr. Jones sticks out like a sore thumb. He becomes the topic of conversation among the retirees.

One no nonsense woman, Ms. Bettyhill, acts as Jones' guide and confident. The truth is this man is in reality a doctor, only that his real name is Forbe, Dr. Jethro Forbes. He has come trying to make sense of the untimely death of his ex-wife, Stella, who was married to Dr. Henry Dysert, the man in charge of seeing the sick in the boarding house.

Ms. Bettyhill becomes friendly toward the newly arrived guest. He uses her to gather information about Dr. Dysert's life. Finding the beautiful Kitty Mortlock, who is ailing from an unknown malady next door to him, piques his curiosity even more. The fact, he discovers, Dr. Dysert has been married to three women that have died tragically. Now, Jethro finds out, he intends to make Kitty his wife, that is, if first she does not die from the medicine he has been prescribing.

This film was shown on a classical channel recently. Directed by Derek Twist, who also collaborated on the screenplay co-written with John Gossage. The original material came from a novel written by Joan Fleming, "The Deeds of Dr. Deadcert". The action takes place in a lovely seaside resort. The creators made a good decision to keep the action at a brief 85 minutes running time.

Rick Jason, an actor that worked a lot on American television is Jethro Forbes. The great Marius Goring, the composer of "The Red Shoes" ballet, from the movie of the same title, appears as the evil Dr. Dysert. Lisa Gastoni is seen as Kitty, the girl slated to be the next victim of the evil doctor. Mary Merrall, the English character actress, is about the best thing in the film. She does quite well as the local gossip with a heart of gold.