My friend's grandfather was flown to London to star in a film version of "Tell Tale Heart". I believe his name was Dryden.

Does anyone have any clues as to where I could find this old film?

It was shot in London, UK, but he was a Canadian, probably in the 1940s.

Thanks for any hints you have.

-- Anonymous, July 31, 2000

Answers

Hi, Andrea,

I don't know where you would buy a copy of the film, but I did find this to get you started:

THE TELL-TALE HEART (1934/Clifton-Hurst) 53mins. BW. UK. Aka: BUCKET OF BLOOD (US). Credits: Dir: Brian Desmond Hurst; Prod: Harry Clifton; Sc. & Art: David Plunkett Greene. From a story by Edgar Allan Poe. Cast: Norman Dryden, John Kelt, Yolande Terrell, Thomas Shenton, James Fleck, Colonel Cameron, H. Vasher. A madman, (Dryden), recollects the time when he murdered a man and hid the body under the floorboards of his home. To celebrate the "perfect" crime the murderer invites the police chief for tea, but gradually the madman believes he can hear the corpse's heartbeat, that becomes so loud that the killer under great distress confesses his crime to his guest. Made as a second feature with very little atmosphere and plenty of stilted dialogue.

I know that it's from 1934, but it does look like it might be the right film (Dryden starring, UK). I bet that you could find a copy somewhere on the web. Good luck! :-)

Emily

P.S. I found the above listing at this website: Classic Horror Films. (They might be able to help you find a copy).

-- Anonymous, August 04, 2000