23 Paces to Baker Street (1956)
Directed by Henry Hathaway

Film Review

Based on a novel by Philip MacDonald, 23 Paces to Baker Street is a little known suspense thriller which looks suspiciously like a watered down remake of Alfred Hitchcock's earlier Rear Window (1954) - the plot is virtually identical but somehow fails to have the same impact. The film is directed competently enough by the distinguished American filmmaker Henry Hathaway, who had previously made his mark with some memorable film noir dramas such as The House on 92nd Street (1945) and The Dark Corner (1946), although his best-known work is probably True Grit (1969), a classic western starring John Wayne. Saddled with a lacklustre script, Hathaway's direction lacks the usual inspired touch.

Some obvious deficiencies in the screenplay (poor pacing, two-dimensional characters and a lack of incident) are compounded by a pretty one-note performance from the lead actor Van Johnson who fails to evoke much sympathy or convey any sense of danger as the blind hero of the piece.  Throughout, Johnson is out-classed by the supporting cast, which includes such esteemed British character actors as Cecil Parker and Maurice Denham. The film's main asset is its attractive colour cinematography, which includes some spectacular panoramic shots of the London skyline.

Film Synopsis

Philip Hannon is a successful American playwright who is settling into a humdrum bachelor life in London when his former fiancée Jean Lennox decides to walk back into his life.  They haven't met for several years, separating not long after after an accident which left Philip blind.  One evening, Philip heads off alone to his local pub and overhears a strange conversation between a man and a woman who appear to be plotting a kidnapping.  When the police fail to take his story seriously, Philip decides to conduct his own investigation, not knowing that he is up against a very dangerous opponent...