Plot
Ruby Bruce, an attractive young bookshop clerk, catches ex-con Jeff Hart trying to steal a rare book. Instead of turning him in, she accepts a date with him. Working late next day, Ruby initiates a kiss with the shop manager Harman, who responds for a moment, then stops, horrified at his behaviour. She tells Hart, who persuades Ruby to blackmail Harman, hitting her to bruise her arm, saying she can pretend that Harman did it. When Harman refuses to pay, Hart tells Ruby to write a letter to Harman's invalid wife, who dies from a heart attack when she gets out of bed to burn the letter. Harman tells Ruby that he knows the letter was from her, and that she is responsible for his wife's death. A distraught Ruby tells Hart what has happened, and that she feels guilty about Mrs Harman's death, but Hart threatens her to demand the money from Harman anyway. Frightened and desperate, Ruby asks Harman again for money, and he angrily gives her the £300 he and his wife had been on the point of using for treatment for her abroad. Having broken into the shop basement, Hart catches Ruby hiding part of the money and accidentally kills her as they hide from Harman, and he hides her body in a packing case. Harman discovers Ruby's body and, thinking he will be accused, flees in panic. With the help of his secretary Stella he hunts for clues to the killer. Stella tracks down Hart, but he starts a fire to kill her, just as the police and Harman arrive after a tip-off. Harman saves Stella and the police arrest Hart.Cast
* George Brent as John Harman * Marguerite Chapman as Stella Tracy * Diana Dors as Ruby Bruce * Peter Reynolds as Jeffrey (Jeff) Hart * Meredith Edwards as Inspector Dale * Harry Fowler as Joe, clerk * Raymond Huntley as Clive Oliver * Eleanor Summerfield as Vi * Isabel Dean as May Harman * Nelly Arno as Miss RossettiProduction
''The Last Page'' was the first of 17 films made under a four-year production and distribution contract between Hammer and the US film distribution company Lippert Pictures. As in all of these films, the lead role was played by a well-known Hollywood actor supplied by Lippert to ensure familiarity with American audiences. Lippert was on the set visiting Hammer the day production on this film began on July 7, 1951. Lippert provided George Brent to Hammer, and James Carreras later reciprocated by persuading Diana Dors to star in several American movies for Lippert.Critical reception
'' Variety'' said: "First half of the footage is marked by a leisurely British tempo as director Terence Fisher rather methodically establishes the characters. However, latter half is better paced as plot becomes more melodramatic and general feeling gotten across is on the plus side. London locale also is on the favorable side." In ''British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959'' David Quinlan wrote:References
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