The Trunk is a low budget, black and white 1961 British mystery film directed by Donovan Winter and starring Phil Carey, Julia Arnall and Dermot Walsh.
Plot
Trouble ensues when Lisa marries Henry, a British lawyer. Lisa's jealous ex-boyfriend Stephen decides to take revenge by convincing her that she has killed Diane, her husband's ex-girlfriend. Lisa gives Stephen the money he wants to keep quiet and dispose of the corpse. Unfortunately, the dead woman's other ex-lover, Nicholas, sees the two together. After getting his money from Lisa, Stephen puts Diane's body in a trunk and drives to an isolated area. There he discovers that the woman is not feigning death; she has been killed by the jealous Nicholas, in a manner that will incriminate Stephen.
Cast
Phil Carey as Stephen Dorning
Julia Arnall as Lisa Maitland
Dermot Walsh as Henry Maitland
Vera Day as Diane
Peter Swanwick as Nicholas Steiner
John Atkinson as Matt
Betty Le Beau as Maria
Tony Quinn as Porter
Robert Sansom as Bank Manager
Pippa Stanley as Mrs. Stanhope
Richard Nellor as Sir Hubert
Nicholas Tanner as Policeman
Critical reception
TV Guide wrote, "the movie is badly produced and too seamy for its own good." In The New York Times, Bosley Crowther wrote, "now that the British are importing American actors to commit homicide in their low-budget movies, they seem to have lost their flair." Crowther called it a "foolish melodrama" that is "several kilometers removed from Agatha Christie." Sky Movies called it a "creepy little thriller" that is "hugely enjoyable. The director doesn't miss a trick at tightening up the suspense."