Backfire! (also known as Backfire) is a 1962 second feature British film directed by Paul Almond and starring Alfred Burke, Zena Marshall and Oliver Johnston. Part of the long-running series of Edgar Wallace Mysteries films made at Merton Park Studios, it was based on a story by Edgar Wallace.
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Plot
Long-established cosmetics company Venetia Beauty Preparations is in serious financial trouble, having been taken from success to near-ruin by the unscrupulous actions of the devious Mitchell Logan and his wife Pauline, who have inveigled their way to become business partners of the elderly founder Bernard Curzon. Against Curzon's wishes, Logan engages the services of a professional arsonist to burn the factory down, intending to claim on the insurance. But his plan goes horribly wrong.
Cast
Alfred Burke as Mitchell Logan
Zena Marshall as Pauline Logan
Oliver Johnston as Bernard Curzon
Noel Trevarthen as Jack Bryce
Suzanne Neve as Shirley Curzon
Derek Francis as Arthur Tilsley
John Cazabon as Willy Kyser
Madeleine Christie as Hannah Chenko
Claire Neilson as Valentina Chenko (credited as Claire Isbister)
Frank Hawkins as Inspector Fletcher
Donald Eccles as Hargreaves
Melody O'Brian as Thelma
Edwin Brown as commissionaire
Beresford Williams as nightwatchman
Bernard Kay as fire chief
Philip Ray as coroner
Audrey Nicholson as maid in hotel
Terry Bale as van man
Stuart Hutchinson as fireman
Critical reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Economical thriller in the Edgar Wallace series, adequately acted and presented."
