The Limping Man (1953)

An American (Lloyd Bridges) flies to London to reunite with the woman (Moira Lister) he fell in love with when stationed in London during WWII. But as he disembarks from the plane, a fellow passenger next to him is shot by a sniper. Is it just a coincidence that the dead man was involved with the woman he's going to meet? Based on the novel DEATH ON THE TIDEWAY by Anthony Verney and directed by Cy Endfield (ZULU). This is a minor thriller with heavy noir-ish elements that's a serviceable entertainment. However, the whole thing is spoiled by the cheat of an ending which renders everything that came before it a joke. I suppose in 1953 it was considered clever (although the device had already been used more than once) but now, it's just irritating. It was nice seeing Rachel Roberts (SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY MORNING) as a barmaid and Jean Marsh (UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS) as the landlady's daughter so early in their careers before each moved to bigger and better things. If only the film's last minute were eliminated! With Alan Wheatley, Leslie Phillips and Helene Cordet.