Dr. Crippen (1963)

Dr. Crippen (1963) unfolds the chilling tale of the infamous British murder case that sent shockwaves through the early 20th century. The film delves into the life of the genial yet enigmatic American expatriate, Hawley Harvey Crippen, affectionately dubbed "Peter". As a middling doctor peddling dubious remedies on the grimy streets of London, Crippen's life takes a sinister turn when he is implicated in the gruesome murder of his domineering wife, Belle, a washed-up music-hall performer with a penchant for youthful companions. The narrative kicks off in the hallowed halls of the Old Bailey with the commencement of Crippen's trial, a spectacle that held the nation in a vice-like grip. As the courtroom drama unfolds, the storyline weaves its way back in time, shining a light on the dismal reality of Crippen's marriage to the oppressive Belle. It delves into the evolution of his illicit love affair with his young secretary, Ethel Le Neve, a beacon of solace amidst his tumultuous existence. The plot thickens as Crippen is accused of poisoning Belle, dismembering her remains, and consigning them to the cold obscurity of their home's coal cellar. His desperate flight from England with Ethel, culminating in their arrest aboard a ship en route to North America, adds another layer of intrigue to this macabre narrative. Dr. Crippen's conviction and subsequent execution in 1910 for his alleged crime forms the chilling climax of the film. The central question however, lingers hauntingly - was Crippen's act an intentional homicide or a horrific accident? Was he truly the cold-blooded murderer he was painted as, or just a man ensnared in a web of unfortunate circumstances? This film invites you to explore these unsettling questions, leaving you to grapple with the enigma that is Dr. Crippen.

Dr. Crippen is a crime movie featuring Donald Pleasence and directed by Robert Lynn.

Dr. Crippen is currently streaming on TCM.