Cat and Mouse – 1958 | 79 mins | Crime, Drama | B&W

Plot Synopsis

Adapted from a novel by John Creasey, this off-beatb-movie thriller was written, produced and directed by acclaimed Britishdocumentary maker, Paul Rotha. He evokes a strong sense of atmosphere,particularly in his London exterior scenes, as well as a good deal of tensionin the climax. American import Lee Patterson gives one of his best performancesas the ruthless American army deserter.

Following the death of her mother, naive spinster AnnColtby (Ann Sears) is unexpectedly called to the home of blackmailer Mr. Scruby(Hilton Edwards). Scruby claims to have been an accomplice of Ann’s father, adiamond thief hanged for murder, and knowing the stolen jewels were never soldor recovered – he demands to know where the diamonds are and a fifty-percentshare of their sale. In the ensuing melee, Ann knocks Scruby to the ground andis led to believe she killed him by American GI deserter Rod Fenner (LeePatterson).

Fenner overhears about the diamonds. He drugs Ann, andwhilst she’s sleeping he murders the unconscious Scruby and allows the youngspinster to believe she is the perpetrator. When the police appearinvestigating into the death of Scruby, Fenner coshes a young police constableand flees with an unwitting Ann to hold up at her home. The smooth-talkingFenner soon shows his true colours, holding Ann captive and demanding to knowthe whereabouts of the stolen diamionds. Meanwhile, police Supt. Harding (VictorMaddern) is on the trail of the pair but is hindered the fact his only witnessalso forgetful.