Three Silent Men


Three Silent Men is a 1940 British second feature crime film directed by Thomas Bentley and starring Sebastian Shaw, Derrick De Marney, Patricia Roc and Arthur Hambling. It was written by Jack Byrd and Dudley Leslie. The screenplay concerns a pacifist surgeon who must operate to save the life of the inventor of a deadly weapon of war. When the inventor dies the surgeon becomes the prime suspect.

Plot

Pacifist surgeon Sir James Quentin operates on Zaroff, the inventor of a lethal weapon to be used against Allies of [World War II|the Allies] in the war. When Zaroff is discovered dead from an excess of ether, Quentin is immediately suspected. To clear her father's name, Quentin's daughter Pat and her boyfriend Captain Mellish search for the murderer.

Cast

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "After a slow and uncertain opening the story gets well away. It has abundance of action, thrills, suspense, a pleasant romance and works up to an unexpected and dramatic climax. The weakest point is rather laboured dialogue, but this is comparatively unimportant when the action develops. The direction is workmanlike and the atmosphere convincing. The acting is uneven. Derrick de Marney makes a likable and natural John Mellish, and Patricia Roc is unaffected and attractive as Pat. Sebastian Shaw is miscast as Sir James, and never seems quite at ease. The supporting players are competent and good."
Kine Weekly wrote: "The story is not quickly off the mark, but its acceleration improves as it warms up, and it ends with pace, punch and an exciting and showmanlike element of surprise. The players are, with few exceptions, equal to their responsibilities, the direction reveals resource, and the atmosphere is, for the most part, both colourful and convincing. In all, a lively and popular best seller in handy form."
Picturegoer wrote: "Espionage melodrama, rather slow in getting off the mark, but with a thrilling ending. ... Sebastian Shaw is a trifle theatrical as Sir James, but Derrick de Marney is good as Mellish and Patricia Roc reveals charm and acting ability as the heroine."
TV Guide gave the film two out of five stars, calling it "Badly written, though the suspense makes it entertaining."