Alibi (1942 film)

Alibi is a 1942 British mystery film directed by Brian Desmond Hurst and starring Margaret Lockwood, James Mason and Hugh Sinclair. It was based on the novel L'Alibi by Marcel Achard.

Premise
Police hunt for the killer of a nightclub hostess in pre-war Paris.

Cast

 * Margaret Lockwood as Helene Ardouin
 * Hugh Sinclair as Inspector Calas
 * James Mason as Andre Laurent
 * Raymond Lovell as Prof. Winkler
 * Enid Stamp-Taylor as Dany
 * Hartley Power as Gordon
 * Jane Carr as Delia
 * Edana Romney as Winkler's Assistant
 * Rodney Ackland as Winker's Assistant
 * Elisabeth Welch as Singer
 * Olga Lindo as Mlle. Loureau
 * Muriel George as Mme. Bretonnet
 * George Merritt as Bourdille
 * Judy Gray as Josette
 * Philip Leaver as Dodo

Production
Lockwood had just given birth to her daughter. It was the first time Lockwood worked with James Mason. She said Mason wanted star billing and was unhappy at being given feature billing. She said the film "was anything but a success" but enjoyed working with him saying he "was a wonderful artist and extremely easy to work with. He was one of the people who helped me to enjoy making that rather bad film and to enjoy getting back into the routine of my work again." Lockwood and James Mason would shortly become huge stars with The Man in Grey.

Critical reception
In a contemporary review, The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote, "here is a bright film with a bit of everything in it...The film is well directed, and Margaret Lockwood makes an appealing Helene, with James Mason playing opposite to her. Raymond Lovell is first-class as the sinister Winkler, and Rodney Ackland as his assistant and Principal Villain No. 2, plays up to him well, introducing an element of melodrama. The other members of the cast team up to make the whole a creditable production."