Ten Minute Alibi is a 1935 British crime film directed by Bernard Vorhaus and starring Phillips Holmes, Aileen Marson and Theo Shall. It was written by Vera Allinson and Michael Hankinson, adapted from the 1933 play Ten Minute Alibi by Anthony Armstrong.
Plot When Colin Derwent's fiancée Betty is lured to Paris by the evil Philip Sevilla, Derwent dreams the plot of a perfect murder, which he then puts into practice.
Cast Phillips Holmes as Colin Derwent Aileen Marson as Betty Findon Theo Shall as Philip Sevilla Morton Selten as Sir Miles Standish George Merritt as Inspector Pember Charles Hickman as Sgt. Brace Philip Hatfield as Hunter Dora Gregory as charwoman Grace Poggi as dancer Francis De Wolff
Production The film was made at Beaconsfield Studios. The film's sets were designed by the art director Andrew Mazzei.
Reception Kine Weekly wrote: "Bernard Vorhaus has accorded the play straightforward treatment and relied on the dialogue to gain his big dramatic moments ... Continuity is rather ragged in the opening, and it takes a little time for the picture to grip the interest, but once the idea of the crime is mooted the holding power is good and is not released tll the final shot."
Film Weekly wrote: "Fairly good murder drama, adapted from the successful play. Opens weakly, but works up to a really tense climax which is well worth seeing. ... The long-winded opening reminds one of British pictures two or three years ago. There is even a restaurant scene, complete with the inevitable nothing-to-do-with-the-story cabaret. ... Handicapped as he is by miscasting, Phillips Holmes succeeds in giving a pretty good performance ... Aileen Marson is just the girl in the case, and nothing more. Theo Shall overplays the villain by adopting a heavily melodramatic and theatrical style which went out of fashion some time ago."
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