Three Steps In The Dark

BFI Most Wanted: the hunt for Britain's missing films

Directed by Daniel Birt, 1953

A country house murder mystery, in which a wealthy and despised eccentric invites relatives to a discussion of his will, following which he is murdered.

Amateur sleuth Sophy Burgoyne (Greta Gynt)

Credits

Director Production Company Producer Script Original Story Photography Editor	Daniel Birt Corsair Production Harold Richmond Brock Williams Roger East Hone Glendining Anne Barker
Cast: Greta Gynt (Sophy Burgoyne); Hugh Sinclair (Philip Burgoyne); Nicholas Hannen (Arnold Burgoyne); Sarah Lawson (Dorothy); John Van Eyssen (Henry); Helene Cordet (Esme); Katie Johnson (Mrs Riddle); Elwyn Brook-Jones (Inspector Forbes).
61 mins, 5,488 feet, sound, black & white.

Why are we so keen to find it?

Before his early death at only 48, Daniel Birt directed a number of interesting films, including Three Weird Sisters, which was co-written by his wife, Louise Birt, and Dylan Thomas. Birt had been a respected editor of feature films and documentaries from the early 1930s before he turned his hand to directing. Three Steps in the Dark features Oslo-born Greta Gynt, known as a blonde glamour star of 1940s British films.

What's it about?

From the Monthly Film Bulletin (September 1953):

"A 'whodunnit' based on the traditional formula of the rich but intensely disliked uncle who, having staged a family reunion, informs them that he is going to alter his will. He is murdered before he can complete this operation, and, with a good selection of red herrings, we plod towards the revelation of the killer... detective story novelist niece Sophy finally solves the mystery."

Last seen?

Distributed in 1953, its whereabouts since then are unknown.

What else do we know about it?

The film features the first cinema performance of the French television actress Helen Cordet. Katie Johnson, best known as the redoubtable elderly heroine of Ealing's The Ladykillers two years later, appears in a minor role.

Does anything survive?

No sign of the film itself. There are a number of stills in the BFI National Archive, while the BFI's Special Collections hold a pressbook.

Reviews

Today's Cinema magazine offers this relatively dispassionate assessment: "the film has a measure of well tried appeal in the matter of 'spotting the killer' and in anticipating the surprise revelation of his identity in the climax. There is the usual touch of romance to complete the formula."

Ivan Mowse, Information Officer, BFI National Library

You can find more about British films of the mid-1950s, including entries on surviving films and video clips for users in UK schools, colleges, universities and public libraries, at BFI Screenonline. You can also view similar titles at the BFI Mediatheques.