Three Steps to the Gallows – 1953 | 81 mins | Crime | B&W

Plot Synopsis

John Gilling’s Three Steps to the Gallows took a walk on London’s wild side of sleazy nightclubs and post-war smuggling. This formulaic second-feature is briskly-paced and uses good cinematography of authentic London locations but the weak script never rises above predictable. As was typical with such low-budget fare, American actors Scott Brady and Mary Castle were recruited to appeal to the target overseas audience.

Gregor Stevens (Scott Brady) is tough American merchant seaman that has just docked in England for four days, and so goes to London in search of his brother, Larry. He becomes aware he’s being followed by a trenchcoated stranger and that his brother has been found guilty of murder and faces execution within days. Stevens believes the murder was pinned on the brother by Gay Mask nightclub owner Satargo, who uses the club as a front for his diamond smuggling activities. He attempts to garner more information from nightclub singer Yvonne Durante, and becomes increasingly suspicious when his brother’s solicitors secretary Lorna Dreyhurst arrives at the flat. Stevens is roughed up for his troubles but keeps digging for clues.