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The List Of Adrian Messenger [1963]
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Editorial
Synopsis
George C. Scott must uncover the identity of a mass murderer who is killing off the potential heirs to a family fortune. The sole survivor is the young grandson, and Scott must act before he's killed. The only clues are the few cryptic phrases uttered by victim Adrian Messenger before his death. Adapted from the novel by Philip MacDonald.
"Messenger... Messenger... Messenger..."
Review date: 2008-03-21 Rating: 8 out of 10
Fun, intriguing, a bit eerie, and a little bit silly, "The List of Adrian Messenger" was, in 1963, a bit of a throwback to 1940s-style British mysteries, with some added promotional gimmickry prevalent in late-'50s and early-'60s pop cinema.
I first saw this film on TV as a child and was fascinated (and a little creeped out) by the disguises -- particularly by the removal of a false eye early in the film. (Sorry for the spoiler.) Being a young movie fan I was familiar with all the Hollywood "guest stars" purported to be littered throughout the film in disguise, and had fun trying to spot them (I say "purported," since their presence is disputed -- read on).
Another look at "Adrian Messenger" with a bit more mature eye confirms it to be an enjoyable ersatz-Christie thriller, with pleasing performances, atmospheric photography (mostly on sound stages, but with some terrific Irish location work), and a not-quite-leakproof plot. The wonderful music score by Jerry Goldsmith is as much a character in this movie as lead detective George C. Scott (whose Brit accent is shaky but serviceable).
Perhaps the biggest mystery of the film is this: why did John Huston -- he of "The Maltese Falcon" and "Key Largo" -- direct this curious, gimmicky whodunit? He may have been a director-for-hire (employed by Kirk Douglas' Joel Productions), with enough employee clout to shoot a goodly chunk near the Huston estate in Ireland (subbing for the English countryside in the nifty fox-hunting sequences).
An equally big mystery concerns the questionable veracity of the movie's advertising campaign, as relates to the "five great stars" who "challenge you to guess the disguised roles they play!" Character actor Jan Merlin has since claimed to be the "man behind the mask" for nearly all of Kirk Douglas' disguised appearances (he even turned his peculiar experiences on "Messenger" into a thriller novel, "Shooting Montezuma"). Repeated viewings and careful inspection of the false faces may lead you to doubt the ballyhoo, too, but it won't spoil the fun of it all.
"Messenger... Messenger... clean sweep... only one broom left!"
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Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Gladys Cooper
George C. Scott
Walter Huston
Dana Wynter
Kirk Douglas
Creators:
Kirk Douglas (Primary Contributor)
Gladys Cooper (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Metrodome Video
Manufacturer: Metrodome Video
EAN: 5055002553653
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2008-03-17
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 94 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1963
Language: English (Unknown)