Price of Silence, The (1960)

Richard Fuller (Gordon Jackson) is an ex-convict who – after serving his sentence for embezzlement – has changed his name to Roger Fenton and made a new life for himself working for elderly small-town estate agent HG Shipley (Llewellyn Rees).

Despite being pursued by Shipley’s amorous young wife, Maria (Maya Koumani), everything is going well for him until an old cellmate from prison – “Slug” (Sam Kydd) – turns up demanding money to keep Roger’s past as a gaolbird a secret, threatening to undermine his determined efforts to make good.

Roger ultimately plans to kill Slug but changes his mind following a drinking bout. Instead, he spends half an hour with Maria at a cafe – during which time Slug murders and robs one of Roger’s clients (Mary Clare in her final film role)  in Roger’s office.

Roger is subsequently accused and Maria denies seeing him at the time of the murder. Fortunately, Shipley eventually confirms Roger’s alibi and all ends well for him and attractive young artist Audrey Truscott (June Thorburn who tragically died in a plane crash in 1967, aged 36).

It’s an undemanding crime B movie melodrama, clearly made on an ultra-low budget. All strings are firmly tied at the finish, and no fault can be found with the technical presentation.

Roger Fenton/Richard Fuller
Gordon Jackson
Audrey Truscott
June Thorburn
Maria Shipley
Maya Koumani
John Braine
Terence Alexander
Mrs West
Mary Clare
Supt. Wilson
Victor Brooks
Ethel
Joan Heal
HG Shipley
Llewellyn Rees
Miss Collins
Annette Kerr
Slug
Sam Kydd
Councilor Forbes
Norman Shelley
Landlady
Olive Sloane
Landlord
Norman Mitchell

Director
Montgomery Tully