The October Man – 1947 | 95 mins | Thriller | B&W

Plot Synopsis

Roy Ward Baker‘s directorial debut is an atmospheric psychological thriller adapted by Eric Ambler from his own story. A Hitchcock connection unsurprisingly influences the film’s atmosphere, Ambler’s second wife collaborated on scripts with Hitchcock and Ward Baker was his one-time assistant. This compelling film noir features an accomplished performance from John Mills in the lead role although the only doubt over his innocence amounts to the creepy way in which he knots his handkerchief. Able support is provided by Kay Walsh, Joan Greenwood, Joyce Carey, and a sinister looking Edward Chapman – who couldn’t be further away from his well-known role as Mr. Grimsdale in the Norman Wisdom comedies.

After a bus accident in which his friend’s daughter (Juliet Mills) is killed, young industrial chemist Jim Ackland (John Mills) sustains head injuries that result in him suffering amnesia and suicidal tendencies. After a lengthy spell in hospital he is released and moves into a seedy London suburban hotel where he encounters sympathetic model Molly (Kay Walsh), although it’s fellow guest Jenny (Joan Greenwood) that he begins dating. Shortly after he lends Molly thirty-pounds, she is found strangled on the common and Jim is suspected of the murderer. The real killer privately confesses to Jim that he and had committed the murder out of jealousy, and implicates Jim further by giving the police a false statement. When the killer tries to flee the country, Jim pursues him whilst Jenny tries to convince the police of their error. After the killer is arrested, Jim contemplates suicide as the pressure begins to take its toll.