Based on Philip MacDonald's suspense novel Mystery of the Dead Police, The Hour of 13 (1951) is a remake of the 1934 thriller The Mystery of Mr. X, which starred Robert Montgomery. While both films are based on the same source novel, there were a few differences between the two MGM productions, aside from the cast.

First, The Mystery of Mr. X (1934) made the mistake of revealing the killer's identity in the opening credits, an error the producers of The Hour of 13 avoided. Second, The Hour of 13 makes excellent use of several topnotch British actors, including Dawn Addams, Derek Bond, Leslie Dwyer, Michael Hordern, and Colin Gordon by filming at MGM's British studio facilities. Also invaluable was the contribution of John Addison, the prolific scorer of British films who composed and conducted the score for The Hour of 13, along with the participation of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Peter Lawford, who was just a few years away from his escapades with the Sinatra "Rat Pack," makes a stylish, debonair leading man. Though he wasn't particularly fond of The Hour of 13, he did admire the cinematography by Guy Green. "He even managed to make my nose look halfway human, which is a fantastic feat in itself!" Lawford later admitted. In addition to a top notch supporting cast of British character actors, the film also takes full advantage of its London locations. At times the atmospheric recreation of the city during the 1890's is reminiscent of director Carol Reed's Vienna based film, The Third Man (1949).

Director: Harold French
Producer: Hayes Goetz
Screenplay: Leon Gordon, Howard Emmett Rogers, based on the novel X vs. Rex- Mystery of the Dead Police by Martin Porlock
Cinematography: Guy Green
Editor: Raymond Poulton, Robert Watts
Art Direction: Alfred Junge
Music: John Addison
Cast: Peter Lawford (Nicholas Revel), Dawn Addams (Jane Frensham), Roland Culver (Connor), Derek Bond (Sir Christopher Lenhurst), Leslie Dwyer (Ernie Perker), Michael Hordern (Sir Frances Frensham).
BW-80m.

by Scott McGee