Murder Among Friends

1950. Drama. Directed by John Gilling. Writer Robert Southley finds his lifestyle threatened by blackmail from a former American criminal associate. Stars Hugh Sinclair, Dinah Sheridan & John Laurie.

A body is found in the hills of Styria. At first glance, it appears to be the suicide of a drunkard, but an investigation reveals that a murder has been committed. Soon the number of suspects exceeds the number of mourners. The victim, Johann Hödlgruber, had blocked a golf-course project, argued with farmers about a few square metres of agricultural land, protested against his neighbour's alpaca farm, and cheated his brother out of an inheritance.

Gangster's moll Marcia Cameron (Mae Clark) quits her racketeering boyfriend Dapper Dan Tyler (Robert Ellis) for a respectable rich man, Bob Henderson (James Hall), but after giving birth to their child, her shady background becomes a liability. Bob is so embarrassed by her former associations that he sues for divorce. But Dapper Dan is gunned down by a detective and picky Bob forgives all.

During the Gold Rush of '49, Tom Romaine kills William Kent and runs off with his wife, Kate, leaving behind Kate's daughter, Betty, who is reared by a priest. Fifteen years later, Betty goes to California and looks up Tennessee, one of her father's friends, who makes her his partner in the Golden Princess Mine. Romaine learns of Betty's whereabouts and, with Kate's help, passes himself off as Betty's father. Tennessee recognizes them both and lets Betty know that Romaine killed her father. Romaine dynamites the mine with Betty and Tennessee inside; and Kate, who has killed Romaine, dies while rescuing them. Tennessee and Betty decide to become permanent partners in marriage.

"Deadly Tales II" is a hosted horror anthology of three scary shorts from the unusual tradition of "Tales from the Crypt".