The Durant Affair *** (1962, Jane Griffiths, Conrad Phillips, Nigel Green, Francis De Wolff, Richard Caldicot, Simon Lack) – Classic Movie Review 13,657

The 1962 British second feature courtroom drama film The Durant Affair stars Jane Griffiths as a woman left an unexpected fortune, and Conrad Phillips and Nigel Green as opposing counsels who contest the will in court.

Director Godfrey Grayson’s 1962 British second feature courtroom drama film The Durant Affair stars Jane Griffiths, Conrad Phillips, Nigel Green, and Francis De Wolff. It is written by Eldon Howard, is made by Danziger Productions, and is released by Paramount British Pictures (UK).

The will of a renowned society hostess is contested in court after her fortune is granted to an unexpected heiress. A young unmarried woman called Mary Grant (Jane Griffiths) is approached by a solicitor called Roland Farley (Simon Lack) who advises her that she is in line for inheriting £500,000 and to engage a roguish QC called Julian Armour (Conrad Phillips) to contest in court the will of his client Ethel Durant, the woman who may be her late mother. Farley tells her he is hiring the formidable Sir Patrick (Nigel Green) to oppose what would be her claim to the will.

Ethel Durant, a renowned society hostess, dies leaving a fortune, sparking a search for her heir. Her life was one of mystery and controversy but she was previously believed to have died childless. Mary Grant (Jane Griffiths) was brought up by a man who may or may not have been her father, and had never heard of her mother till this moment. She shared a deep love for her father, and needs to protect his honour and memory. She is very frosty indeed both to her co-workers and to her QC, Julian Armour, whom she distrusts and somehow despises.

Director Godfrey Grayson’s 1962 British second feature courtroom drama film The Durant Affair is wordy but entertaining, quite compelling and gripping really, with a decent (complex if not cosmic) story by Eldon Howard, some excellent dialogue and courtroom atmosphere. But at the end of the day it is the performances that make it quite so enjoyable, with Conrad Phillips and Nigel Green as opposing counsels, Francis De Wolff as one of the witnesses, and Richard Caldicot as the Judge all exceptional, quite outstanding. Conrad Phillips and Richard Caldicot are particularly effective, both satisfyingly with lots to do. Jane Griffiths is appealing and touching as the troubled, conflicted Mary Grant. These actors all deserve A-movie work, but how they enrich this humble B-movie!

As usual in one of these second features, there is a lot of ground to cover in 65 minutes, and the film does it efficiently, quickly and slickly. It’s not really a mystery thriller at all, it’s a drama about probate (!), but there is a little mystery in there.

The cast: Jane Griffiths as Mary Grant, Conrad Phillips as Julian Armour, Nigel Green as Sir Patrick, Simon Lack as Roland Farley, Francis de Wolff as Mario Costello, Richard Caldicot as the Judge, Michael Beint as Bill Lewis, Tony Quinn as manservant James O’Flaherty, Ann Lancaster, Robert Raglan as Ned Dunston, and Katharine Pate as Ethel Durant.

Jane Griffiths and Conrad Phillips returned together in Dead Man’s Evidence (1962).

Jane Griffiths (16 October 1929 – 11 June 1975)

English actress Jane Griffiths’s film career from 1950 and 1963 was largely in B movies. She died young aged 45, her film career already far behind. The Million Pound Note (1954) and The Durant Affair are highlights.

© Derek Winnert 2025 – Classic Movie Review 13,657

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