The Vicious Circle 1957

Dr. Howard Latimer agrees to what he believes is a simple favor when he picks up a famous German actress from London Airport, accompanied by the journalist Geoffrey Windsor, who tags along after failing to secure an interview about Latimer’s medical research. Latimer, already late for a date with his fiancée at the Royal Festival Hall, lets Windsor take the actress to Claridges Hotel.

When the actress’s body is discovered in Latimer’s flat, with Windsor nowhere to be found, Latimer faces questions from the police. Detective Inspector Dane is initially sympathetic, but as the evidence mounts, it increasingly seems that Latimer could have committed the murder.

Latimer’s other problem is Mrs Ambler, a patient referred by his colleague Dr. George Kimber, whose stories keep changing.

With the investigation closing in, Latimer goes to stay at his friend Kenneth Palmer’s house, hoping to avoid the police. There he encounters the mysterious ‘Robert Brady’, who turns out to be Maj. Harrington, an Intelligence officer, who shows a strange interest in a matchbook Latimer received from the actress.

When Mrs Ambler’s dead body is found, suspicion again points toward Latimer. Yet DI Dane continues to believe in his innocence.

Latimer is confronted by Windsor, who demands £4,000 in blackmail — not from Latimer, but from Dr Kimber — and the police reveal that they know more about the case than they had let on.

Latimer is then introduced to the man he believed to be Brady, who is in fact Major Harrington, and he works with the police to unmask the criminal among his acquaintances.

Gillian Moran appears in a supporting role, adding tension to the unfolding events.