Model for Murder ** (1959, Keith Andes, Hazel Court, Jean Aubrey, Michael Gough, Julia Arnall) – Classic Movie Review 13,873

Model for Murder is an enjoyable, capable minor 1959 British second feature crime film starring Keith Andes, Hazel Court, Jean Aubrey, Michael Gough, and Julia Arnall.

Model for Murder is an enjoyable, capable minor 1959 British second feature crime film directed by Terry Bishop, and starring Keith Andes, Hazel Court and Jean Aubrey. It is written by the film’s director Terry Bishop and producer Robert Dunbar, adapting a story by Peter Fraser.

Keith Andes stars as American sailor officer David Martens, who visits his brother Jack’s grave while on shore leave in England, where he is searching for his brother’s girlfriend. There he meets fashion designer Sally Meadows (Hazel Court), who by chance works with Jack’s model ex-fiancée, Diana Leigh (Julia Arnall). One thing leads to another, and this being a British second feature crime film, David Martens soon becomes involved in a jewel robbery and the investigation of a murder in the fashion industry linked to the heist.

The oddly assorted, rather quirky cast with several favourites of the era are the main attraction, though the unusual crime mystery story still quite entertaining and fairly suspenseful too. The admirable Hazel Court is in there battling for the movie, as always. Maybe she is the main attraction, though Michael Gough’s outrageously camp performance as Kingsley Beauchamp is a bit of a treat too.

Fast filming took place in just three weeks at Shepperton Studios, and on location in London and Surrey. They have quite a lot here for very little money. Terry Bishop co-writes and directs very briskly and efficiently, bringing an attractive offbeat edge to it.

The cast are Keith Andes as David Martens, Hazel Court as Sally Meadows, Jean Aubrey as Annabelle Meadows, Michael Gough as Kingsley Beauchamp, Julia Arnall as Diana Leigh, Patricia Jessel as Madame Dupont, Peter Hammond as George, Edwin Richfield as chauffeur Costard, Alfred Burke as Podd, Richard Pearson as Bullock, George Benson as Freddie, Diane Bester as Tessa, Howard Marion-Crawford as Inspector Duncan, Neil Hallett as Sgt Anderson, Barbara Archer as Betty Costard. Annabel Maule as hospital Sister, Charles Lamb as lock keeper.

© Derek Winnert 2026 – Classic Movie Review 13,873

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com