Case of Charles Peace, The

Date: 1949
Director: Norman Lee
Production Company: John Argyle Productions

Stars: Michael Martin Harvey, Chili Bouchier, Valentine Dyall
Location(s): London, Surrey

Storyline:

The story of the notorious Victorian criminal Charles Peace, and the circumstances that led to his trial and ultimate conviction.

Additional Information:

Page compiled by Steve Randall

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The film opens with the admonition above the main entrance of the Old Bailey, London EC4

Slightly off angle in attempting this Dutch tilt so another go may bring joy. SJ

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Officially known as the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales. The voiceover intones "Here every prisoner is presumed innocent until the Crown shall have proved him guilty beyond all reasonable doubt".

This shows the new building and infill on the right. SJ

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"British justice relies on the aid of the police force, and the efficiency of the Criminal Investigation Department".

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"It is here at the Hendon Police School that constables and detectives are trained by experienced instructors".

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An instructor at the college presents the case of the Victorian criminal Charles Peace. As the events are presented at the trial, they are shown in flashback, starting with the murder of Arthur Dyson. Peace and Dyson lived in the village of Darnall near Sheffield, Yorkshire.

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Peace's house. Peace has taken a shine to Arthur Dyson's wife Katherine and they have been spending time together.

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Peace (Michael Martin Harvey) takes his parrot into the front garden to give it an airing. Arthur Dyson leaves him an uncomplimentary note, telling Peace to leave his family alone.

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Dyson leaves across the fields as Peace reads the note.

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Katherine (Chili Bouchier) leaves her house.

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Katherine tells Peace that he needs to stop coming round as Arthur is becoming suspicious.

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Dyson (Richard Shayne) talks with neighbours outside the pub.

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Emerging drunk from the pub, Peace is enraged by Dyson's presence and gives him a hefty kick.

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Peace does not show any remorse.

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The Dysons move to a new house to remove themselves from Peace's influence.

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Peace turns up at the Dyson's new home and scares Katherine. Arthur gives chase and is fatally shot by Peace.

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Some time earlier Peace had been involved in a burglary and killed a policeman. A local lad was convicted of the murder, receiving a death sentence. St Albans Bank, Hampton Court Road, East Molesey, Surrey, once occupied by the Duke of St Albans. It was demolished in 1972. (SR)