O. K. Rod Cameron is no Bogart, but his burly transatlantic presence helps this British B-thriller tick along nicely. Utilising that British staple - fog, P. I. Mike O'Kelly is accosted by three men in quick succession when on his way to see pal Ben Connor. The last man drops a passport and, we're on our way. Connor is found dead by O'Kelly and to save time he follows up on the passport, leaving secretary Jonesy (Marianne Stone) to tell the police. Another British staple of the fifties is introduced; a gang of neo-nazis hiding within a peace organization. Femme fatale ( Diane Boyd (Lois Maxwell) drapes herself pleasingly on the bar in the smoky atmosphere of the Stella Lupari Club. She is obviously involved and leads O'Kelly on a merry, not to mention life-threatening, dance. But what about the mysterious Orlando Syms (Clifford Evans)? The shady Dr Randolph (Douglas Wilmer) and the obviously terrified owner of the passport Amedeo Sacchi (Derek Sydney)? Not forgetting the stereotypical gang of murderously-inclined Italians who can't fight their way out of a paper bag, let alone get past Mike's clubbing right fist! What is the meaning of the list of numbers? Is anyone really what they seem to be? Can anyone be trusted? No! That's what makes the story! From the Berman/Baker stable who made a lot of these entertaining thrillers; they moved on to produce the, very successful, Saint tv series in the sixties. In fact, substitute Roger Moore for Cameron, tweak the script a little, and you have a typical Saint episode. Half of the rest of the cast also appeared regularly in various episodes. A good old-fashioned thriller with no profanity or gratuitous sex, and just complicated enough to keep you on the hook.
Review of Passport to Treason
