Touch of Death (1961 film)

Touch of Death
Touch of Death
	British quad poster
Directed by	Lance Comfort
Written by	Lyn Fairhurst, Aubrey Cash and Wilfred Josephs (story)
Produced by	Lewis Linzee
Starring	William Lucas; David Sumner; Ray Barrett; Jan Waters
Cinematography	Basil Emmott
Edited by	John Trumper
Music by	Johnny Douglas
Production; company	Helion Pictures
Distributed by	Planet Film Distributors
Release date	1961, United Kingdom
Running time	58 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

Touch of Death is a 1961 black and white British second feature^[1] crime film directed by Lance Comfort and starring William Lucas, David Sumner, Ray Barrett and Jan Waters.^[2] It was written by Lyn Fairhurst from a story by Aubrey Cash and Wilfred Josephs.

Premise

A criminal gang pull off a big robbery, unaware the cash has been infected with toxic poison. The thieves hide out on a Thames houseboat and terrorise its female occupant, before they start dying.

Cast

William Lucas as Pete Mellor
David Sumner as Len Williams
Ray Barrett as Maxwell
Jan Waters as Jackie
Frank Coda as Sgt. Byrne
Roberta Tovey as Pam
Geoffrey Denton as Baxter
Lane Meddick as Morgan
Ann Martin as Mrs. Morgan
Christopher Brett as Mike
Clifford Earl as Mr. Grey
Alethea Charlton as Mrs. Grey

Critical reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "In an effort to ring the changes on the usual crime and punishment formula, the script overloads the tale with suspenseful possibilities that strain the credibility. But it creates a nice sense of urgency, and the direction, though not particularly original, keeps the action going at a lively pace. The characterisation of the two crooks gives those two good actors, William Lucas and David Sumner, something to bite on, and some tedious playing in the minor roles does not weigh too heavily on the rest of this able little second feature."^[3]

AllMovie wrote, "Director Lance Comfort wasn't what you could call inspired, but he sure knew how to sustain audience interest."^[4]