As a deeply passionate by Noir genre I used never give under seven in any of this kind, this is widely perceived a minor movie about an American high-profile trumpet jazz player James Bradley (Alex Nicol) arrives on London to do a British tour, after the show tired he accidently meets with a blonde gorgeous singer Maxine Halbartd (Ann Hanslip) which she invites him to a dinner at her home, the chemistry is blatant perceived, lately James leaving there, although someone entered in the Maxine's apartment, in the dawn James was wake up by the police asking where he was that night, he receives the bad news about Maxine's death, then he starts his own investigation, taking him on dangerous places at London, among fights, misunderstandings he is reaching of the truth, between a live show and countless research he will slowly getting to the point, an American British co-production on Hammer's label this movie is slow paced, but intriguing and too much complex adrift quite often, Alex Nicol doesn't fits on so-called handsome star, he usually was a good supporting casting, overall the picture wasn't so bad at all, beside it is a Noir movie!!
FACE THE MUSIC is a slightly tedious potboiler and one of many similar pictures knocked out by Hammer director Terence Fisher before he hit the big time with THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN. This one features a dull American import in the form of Alex Nicol, who begins a budding romance with a young singer only to have his plans curtailed when she turns up dead.
Another fine piece of eroticism from Maria Beatty, who once again plays the submissive. This is very well shot with most effective ambient soundtrack, but whilst even more atmospheric than The Elegant Spanking, is also a little more intense.
Terence Fisher directed the 1954 "The Black Glove" (British title: "Face the Music") for Hammer in which Alex Nicol starred before he made the far more important "House Across the Lake" for writer- director Ken Hughes. In this "Face the Music", Nicol is a cornet player (his solos are superbly dubbed by Kenny Baker, who can also be spotted on screen as the band leader) who becomes innocently involved with a girl (Ann Hanslip) who is later found murdered.
There is far too much music and not enough mystery.It means that the film lasts 15 minutes more then need be.
Taking advantage of arrangements favoured by the UK's Eady levy (a state film subsidy established after the war) in 1950, American producer Robert Lippert formed a business alliance with Hammer studios. Under the agreement, Lippert would provide American acting talent - frequently shop-worn stars or just supporting actors who fancied a profitable trip out of the country - while Hammer would supply the rest of the cast and the production facilities.
