Clue of the Twisted Candle

Clue of the Twisted Candle is a 1960 British second feature crime film directed by Allan Davis and starring Bernard Lee, David Knight and Francis de Wolff. The screenplay was by Philip Mackie, based on the 1918 Edgar Wallace novel of the same title. It is part of the series of Edgar Wallace Mysteries films made at Merton Park Studios from 1960 to 1965.

Plot
Lexman is sent to prison, having been tricked by the Greek blackmailer Karadis. He escapes, and Karadis is found murdered in a sealed room. Meredith proves that it was Lexman who killed Karadis, who was in fact his partner in the blackmail operation.

Cast

 * Bernard Lee as Superintendent Meredith
 * David Knight as Lexman
 * Francis de Wolff as Ramon Karadis
 * Colette Wilde as Grace
 * Christine Shaw as Linda Buckland
 * Stanley Morgan as Sergeant Anson
 * A. J. Brown as Commissioner of Police
 * Richard Caldicot as Fisher
 * Edmond Bennett as manservant
 * Simon Lack as Jock
 * Anthony Baird as Sergeant Butterfield
 * Gladys Henson as landlady
 * Alfred Maron as Finch
 * Richard Vernon as Viney
 * Harry Locke as Amis
 * Roy Purcell as Brennan
 * Kenneth Fortescue as Secretary, C.I.D.
 * Hazel Hughes as Miss Cunningham

Critical reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "The first of a series of one-hour second features adapted from Edgar Wallace, brought up to date but unable to avoid the slightly old-fashioned look one associates with Wallace's theatricality and liking for red herrings, Clue of the Twisted Candle nevertheless augurs well for the stories to come. After a slow start, curiosity is aroused and resourcefully maintained, with solid backgrounds, crisp playing and economical treatment lending the film an expert air."