Review of Heat Wave

A decent British noir made by Exclusive, an early incarnation of Hammer Films. Directed and written by Ken Hughes and based on his own novel 'High Wray' the plot is quite familiar but it is filmed well and though not made on a large budget it does the job nicely. The Lake Windemere setting is a good one. To me the most interesting performances were given by Hillary Brooke as the femme fatale who is bad but definitely attractive and Sidney James as her rich husband, tolerating her affairs but still in love with her. His affecting downbeat playing is a million miles from his later 'Carry On....' antics. Alan Wheatley was also good as the detective but sadly wasn't in it much. Alex Nicol as the man slowly getting entangled with the wife was bearable. The great Joan Hickson was apparently in the movie but I didn't notice her, which is a shame. An enjoyable film.