THE EDGAR WALLACE MYSTERY THEATRE is remarkable is several ways. For one it’s not a made-for-television series but a collection of 47 one hour B movies made between 1959 and 1965. The second is the inclusion of 10 independent short features made separately, then lumped in when the series was sold to American TV. But what’s best and the most interesting, at least to this viewer, is that MYSTERY THEATRE is a vivid time capsule of England, and especially post WWII London still recovering from the war. The series features a number of familiar British faces (even if their names are not) such as Bernard Lee, Maxine Audley, Patrick Magee, Jennifer Daniel, and Nigel Green. One name who went on to a 60 year international career is Micheal Caine who appears in SOLO FOR SWALLOW (Episode 20)
Other noteworthy episodes include THE MAN WHO WAS NOBODY (Episode 4), THE SINISTER MAN (Episode 13), NUMBER 6 (Episode 18), THE PARTNER (Episode 32), FACE OF A STRANGER (Episode 39) and the most offbeat one, ACT OF MURDER (Episode 40). As maybe you can tell by the numbering, I think the earlier episodes are the better ones. Edgar Wallace’s stock-in-trade were “impossible” mysteries which had to be sleuthed and solved. Only 3 of the 47 titles fall into this particular category, CLUE OF THE TWISTED CANDLE (Episode 1), CLUE OF THE NEW PIN (Episode 6), and CLUE OF THE SILVER KEY (Episode 9). The vast majority of the stories are standard crime capers which have little to do with the Edgar Wallace mystery method. We’re told who did it at the beginning and watch to see how they’ll get caught in the end.
While the series was clearly running out of steam by the time it concluded in 1965, these movies are still very well made with excellent black & white photography and sincere, never condescending performances. They remain fascinating to watch for glimpses of the early 1960s fashions, working class Brit automobiles, and incredible grocery store items at unbelievable prices. All 47 EDGAR WALLACE MYSTERY titles were made at the small Merton Park Studio, now long gone, however we do get a glimpse of MPS in THE PARTNER which concerns a murder at the studio. The 10 independent features, appropriately from Independent Artists Productions, contain more a bit more substance. They were made at a rival studio, Beaconsfield, which is still operating today.
The 10 IAP B movies have nothing to do with Wallace. They were made as second features for British cinemas and run a little over an hour in length. Three of the films were directed by B specialist Vernon Sewell with two (HOUSE OF MYSTERY, THE MAN IN THE BACK SEAT) being outstanding. Another two (THE MALPUS MYSTERY, SEVEN KEYS) come the closest to Wallace in their execution. There are currently two complete sets of the 47 films plus the 10 independent features available. One is from Network while the other is from ViaVision. They’re basically a toss-up, but for me the nod goes to the Network set. Both have crisp, clear pictures and good, clean sound. Sadly there aren’t subtitles which would have helped with the British vernacular. Also available with mixed results on streaming.
The Capsule Critic 