''Trunk Crime'' (also known as ''Design for Murder'' ) is a 1939 British

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

Roy Boulting John Edward Boulting (21 December 1913 – 17 June 1985) and Roy Alfred Clarence Boulting (21 December 1913 – 5 November 2001), known collectively as the Boulting brothers, were English filmmakers and identical twins who became known for thei ...

and starring Manning Whiley, Barbara Everest and Michael Drake. It was written by Francis Miller based on the 1937 play ''The Last Straw'' by

Reginald Denham Reginald Denham (10 January 1894 – 4 February 1983) was an English writer, theatre and film director, actor and film producer. Biography Reginald H. F. Denham was born in London, England, in 1894. He spent a good part of his career dire ...

and Edward Percy.

Plot

Sensitive university student Bentley is bullied by his peers. After a particularly unpleasant attack he snaps and seeks revenge. Drugging the gangleader Grierson, he takes him in a trunk to his country cottage, planning to bury him alive in the marshes. While Bentley is away from the cottage Grierson is discovered and freed. He rues his callous actions towards Bentley.

Cast

Production

It was made at Elstree Studios as a quota quickie. The film's sets were designed by

Duncan Sutherland Duncan Sutherland (1 August 1905 – 1967) was a Scottish-born art director, based in England where he designed the film set, sets for over eighty films and television series between the early 1930s and mid-1960s. Sutherland spent much of the 19 ...

Reception

The 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: "It is a convincing and consistent story with a purpose. The settings are appropriate. The photography is often original, and certainly executed with imagination: the unbalanced condition of Bentley's mind being suggested, for instance, by shots taken from below and on a slant. The film is further enhanced by Manning Whiley's dramatic performance as Bentley, and indeed, by the fine acting of the whole cast. From an entertainment point of view it is exciting without being cheaply sensational." ''

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 ...

'' wrote: "Though inclined to over-act at times, Manning Whiley does very well with an exacting part as Bentley. Barbara Everest's Ursula is a sympathetic and understanding study, and Hay Petrie contributes an amusing little cameo as a local character. ... Story is theatrical in cenception and staging, and there is a great deal of dialogue, but within the limitations imposed on him the director has used his camera intelligently. Psychological aspects of the plot are not over-stressed, while the narrative holds attention by sheer force of its thriller content. :" ''

Picturegoer ''Picturegoer'' was a fan magazine published in the United Kingdom between 1911 and 23 April 1960. Background The magazine was started in 1911 under the name ''The Pictures'' and in 1914 it merged with ''Picturegoer''. Following the merge it was ...

'' wrote: "Morbid thriller which suffers from theatricality and a superfluity of dialogue."

References

External links

* {{Boulting brothers 1939 films British thriller films 1930s thriller films 1930s English-language films Films directed by Roy Boulting Quota quickies Films set in England Films shot at Station Road Studios, Elstree British black-and-white films 1930s British films English-language thriller films