Face the Music (film)

Maxine Halbard, a London nightclub blues singer, is murdered. American trumpeter James Bradley, who was with her on the final night she was alive, is implicated in the crime, but innocent, and sets out to clear his name. In the course of his enquiries, he meets Maurice Green, who runs a recording studio. It turns out that Green is mentally unstable, and Bradley exposes him as the real murderer. ==Cast==

• Alex Nicol as James Bradley • Eleanor Summerfield as Barbara Quigley • John Salew as Maxie Maguilies • Paul Carpenter as Johnny Sutherland • Geoffrey Keen as Maurie Green • Ann Hanslip as Maxine Halbard • Fred Johnson as Detective Sergeant MacKenzie • Martin Boddey as Inspector Mulrooney • Arthur Lane as Jeff Colt • Paula Byrne as Gloria Lewis Colt • Leo Phillips as dresser • Freddie Tripp as stage manager • Ben Williams as gatekeeper • Frank Birch as trumpet salesman • Jeremy Hawk as recording technician • Melvyn Hayes as hotel bellhop ==Production==

It was produced by Hammer Films and shot at Bray Studios outside London with sets designed by the art director J. Elder Wills. ==Critical reception==

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Though this highly involved and improbable affair is given a contain gloss by slick camera work and competent direction, nothing could bring an essentially unconvincing story to life, The denizens of Archer Street and Soho are well portrayed, but Alex Nicol seems uneasy in the leading role. Some shots of the show at the Palladium are interesting, and the music, particularly Kenny Baker's trumpet playing, is very effective." Kine Weekly wrote: "Who-dunnit generously interspersed with hot rhythm. Its tale of an American musician who solves a tricky murder mystery during his stay in London is a bit involved, but the types are convineing and the climax exciting. Moreover, the jam 'sessions' are long enough to please bobbysox fans, without irritating grown-ups. Showmanlike, comprehensive and abounding with exploitation angles, it's a sound proposition for the crowd." Allmovie wrote: "Not one of Fisher's more rousing films." In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "mediocre", writing: "Slow-paced whodunnit with phoney showbiz atmosphere. Star seems ill-at-ease." ==References==