For Them That Trespass (1949)

Stephen Murray is the aspiring writer "Christy" who decides that he needs to leave his cosseted life with his family, and get some experience of real life. To that end, he starts frequenting working men's pubs where he alights on "Frankie" (Rosalyn Boulter). She's quite a lively girl, with plenty of other "men friends" including "Herb" (Richard Todd) and "Jim" (Michael Laurence), the latter gent doesn't take kindly to her sharing her attentions around. On one evening, when he arrives at her flat only to find an escaping man scarpering down the back alley, things turn tragic and "Herb" is soon stitched up for the crime. We know who the real perpetrator is, and we know that "Christy" also knows, but he chooses to watch events unfold for "creative purposes"! Spool on fifteen years and "Herb" is out, and looking for answers... None of the performances are really distinguishing - indeed, there are some pretty dodgy Scots accents around, but the overall consistency amongst the cast and the well paced, solid, direction from (Alberto) Cavalcanti keep this moving along quickly. There's an effective contribution from George Hayes as the "Mad Artist" who has taken over the home of the victim - a role he plays, briefly, with some skill. With a better cast, it might have been a better film - but as it is, these folks do a better than decent job.