Signpost To Murder (1964)

Set in the English countryside, a man (Stuart Whitman) breaks out of a mental institution and hides from the authorities at the secluded home of a married woman (Joanne Woodward) whose husband is away and holds her hostage. Based on a 1962 play by Monte Doyle (with Margaret Lockwood in Woodward's role) that was a hit on the London stage. It's one of those plays like DIAL M FOR MURDER or DEATHTRAP that's more or less stage bound as the characters talk away until there's a neat little twist at the end. Unfortunately, Doyle's play, adapted here by Sally Benson (MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS), is never more than average and sometimes less than that. It plays out like an episode of the ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR. Curiously, why two Americans who don't know each other are doing in a remote English village is never addressed. The true star of the film is Edward C. Carfagno and George W. Davis's spectacular set design! A to die for 2 story country home surrounded by a river and lush foliage. An open living room with lots of windows and a huge water wheel in full view. Directed by George Englund (THE UGLY AMERICAN). With Edward Mulhare, Murray Matheson and Alan Napier.