Web of Suspicion

Web of Suspicion is a 1959 British crime film directed by Max Varnel and starring Philip Friend and Susan Beaumont. It was written by Brian Clemens and Eldon Howard and produced by The Danzigers.^[1]

Web of Suspicion
British theatrical poster
Directed by	Max Varnel
Written by	Brian Clemens Eldon Howard
Produced by	Edward J. Danziger Harry Lee Danziger
Starring	Philip Friend Susan Beaumont
Cinematography	James Wilson
Production company	Danziger Productions (UK)
Release date	May 1959 (1959-05) (UK)
Running time	70 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

Plot

Schoolteacher Bradley Wells is wrongly accused of murdering a girl pupil, and is nearly lynched by angry townspeople. With the help of his art teacher girlfriend Janet he discovers the real murderer, and works with Janet to clear his name and save the school from another tragedy.

Cast

• Philip Friend as Bradley Wells
• Susan Beaumont as Janet Shenley
• John Martin as Eric Turner
• Peter Sinclair as Tom Wright
• Robert Raglan as Inspector Clark
• Peter Elliott as Watson
• Ian Fleming as Forbes
• John Brooking as Holt
• Hal Osmond as Charlie

Critical reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "The doggedly inept line of investigation followed by the police, and the idea of a lynch mob in rural England, are just two factors which rob this routine crime story of all conviction and suspense. The weak plot is given flat direction and stolid acting, and only the backgrounds arouse some slight degree of interest."^[2]

Picturegoer wrote: "An unsubtle portrayal by the villain robs the film of its surprise. I'd say a dunce could name the killer in the wink of an eye."^[3]

Picture Show wrote: "It's lacking in the most essential ingredient for a murder mystery – excitement. The acting, too, could have been much better all round.^[4]

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "mediocre", writing: "Killer is obvious but script has enough unintentional humour to stifle yawns."^[5]