''Profile'' is a 1954 British second feature ('B')

thriller film Thriller film, also known as suspense film or suspense thriller, is a broad film genre that evokes excitement and suspense in the audience. The suspense element found in most films' plots is particularly exploited by the filmmaker in this genre. ...

directed by

Francis Searle Francis Searle (14 March 1909 – 31 July 2002) was an English film director, writer and producer. He was active in the post-Second World War cinema industry. Amongst the films he directed were ''The Lady Craved Excitement'' (1950), ''One Way Ou ...

and starring John Bentley,

Kathleen Byron Kathleen Elizabeth Fell (11 January 1921 – 18 January 2009), known professionally as Kathleen Byron, was an English actress. Early life Byron was born Kathleen Elizabeth Fell in Manor Park (then part of Essex) to what she described as "stau ...

and Thea Gregory. It was written by John Temple-Smith, Maurice Temple-Smith and

John Gilling John Gilling (29 May 1912 – 22 November 1984) was an English film director and screenwriter, born in London. He was known for his horror film, horror movies, especially those he made for Hammer Films, for whom he directed ''The Shadow of the ...

. The story concerns a murder mystery set in a magazine publishers.

Plot

Aubrey Holland is a rich publisher and about to announce a new magazine, ''Profile''. His wife Margot is only interested in him for his money, and unsuccessfully tries to woo handsome editor Peter Armstrong. As ''Profile'' launches, Aubrey unexpectedly dies of a heart attack. Peter is charged with embezzlement. Margot is murdered. The police search for the killer.

Cast

* John Bentley as Peter *

as Margot * Thea Gregory as Susan *

Stuart Lindsell Reginald Stuart Lindsell (18 July 1892, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire – 9 July 1969, London) was a British actor, often seen in upper-class roles. He was sometimes credited as R. Stuart Lindsell. He also served as an officer in the Middlesex R ...

as Aubrey * Ivan Craig as Jerry * Garard Green as Charlie *

Lloyd Lamble Lloyd Nelson Lamble (8 February 1914 – 17 March 2008) was an Australian actor who worked in theatre, television, radio and film. He lived and worked for most of his life in the United Kingdom. Biography Personal life Lloyd Lamble was born in ...

as Michael * Frank Henderson as Mr. Freeman *

Arnold Bell Arnold Bell (23 May 1901 – 12 March 1988) was a British actor. Selected filmography * '' Convict 99'' (1919) − Warder Gannawy * '' Doctor Josser K.C.'' (1931) * '' Josser in the Army'' (1932) − Becker * '' Doss House'' (1933) − Repor ...

as Inspector Crawford * Charles Saynor as policeman * Derek Prentice as doctor * June Charlier as barmaid

Production

The film was shot at

Shepperton Studios Shepperton Studios is a film studio located in Shepperton, Surrey, England, with a history dating back to 1931. It is now part of Pinewood Group, the Pinewood Studios Group. During its early existence, the studio was branded as Sound City (not ...

, with sets designed by the

art director Art director is a title for a variety of similar job functions in theater, advertising, marketing, publishing, fashion, live-action and animated film and television, the Internet, and video games. It is the charge of a sole art director to supe ...

Norman G. Arnold.

Critical reception

Kine Weekly ''Kinematograph Weekly'', popularly known as ''Kine Weekly'', was a trade paper catering to the British film industry between 1889 and 1971. Etymology The word Kinematograph was derived from the Greek ' Kinumai ', (to move, to be in motion, to ...

'' said: "Compact, competently acted and elegantly staged. ... Sacred and profane love commingle in intriguing alchemy as it smoothly builds up to a dramatic dénouement." ''

Monthly Film Bulletin The ''Monthly Film Bulletin'' was a periodical of the British Film Institute published monthly from February 1934 until April 1991, when it merged with '' Sight & Sound''. It reviewed all films on release in the United Kingdom, including those wi ...

'' wrote: "Formula murder story set against the background of a magazine publishers. The dialogue and playing are up to standard, but the film has, for its length, a somewhat confused and over-complicated plot." Chibnall and McFarlane in ''The British 'B' Film'' describe the film as: "a lame murder mystery set in the world of magazine publishing." In ''British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959'' David Quinlan rated the film as "mediocre", writing: "Tortuous thriller." ''The

Radio Times ''Radio Times'' is a British weekly listings magazine devoted to television and radio programme schedules, with other features such as interviews, film reviews and lifestyle items. Founded in September 1923 by John Reith, then general manage ...

Guide to Films'' gave the film 1/5 stars, writing: "Steel-jawed magazine editor John Bentley is accused of forging a cheque in the name of his publisher, who inconveniently keels over with a heart attack. Meanwhile, the publisher's wife (a totally wasted Kathleen Byron) lusts after Bentley (who's in love with her daughter), but is soon murdered herself. Rubbish? You bet, from Monarch, one of the lowest on the British B-movie totem pole: don't look for style here."

References

External links

* {{Francis Searle 1954 films British thriller films 1950s thriller films Films directed by Francis Searle Films shot at Shepperton Studios Films set in London British black-and-white films 1950s English-language films 1950s British films English-language thriller films