I Killed the Count is a 1939 British, black-and-white, comedy, crime, mystery film, directed by Frederic Zelnik and starring Ronald Shiner as Mullet, Ben Lyon, Syd Walker, Terence de Marney, Barbara Blair and Athole Stewart.[1] It was produced by Grafton Films. The film was based on a play by Alec Coppel.
Contents |
The British version of I Killed the Count was based on the tricky, stage puzzler by Alec Coppel. Cockney comedian Syd Walker plays it more or less straight as Scotland Yard Detective Inspector Davidson, at present trying to determine who murdered the much-hated Count Mattoni (Leslie Perrins). The dilemma isn't that the Detective is suffering from a lack of witnesses. In fact, four different people come forth to confess to the killing - each of them with plenty of motive and opportunity.
Originally released in the US by Grand National Films Inc. in 1939, I Killed the Count was reissued the following year as Who is Guilty? by Monogram Pictures in America.[2]
A second adaptation I Killed the Count was made by the BBC in 1948. The play was also adapted as a three-parter on TV's Alfred Hitchcock Presents.[3]