Blind Spot

Made either right before BLOOD OF THE VAMPIRE or around that time is BLIND SPOT, a film with a story by Robert S. Baker and produced by Monty Berman. It doesn't officially have the two together in one capacity, with Berman carrying the heavy load of producer all by himself. The film is distributed by Butchers (yes, that's the name), and it is one of the many criminal black-and-white films produced in England. One must mention that this film is a remake of BLACKOUT, produced by Baker and Berman in 1950. But there is no mention of BLACKOUT's story (from Carl Nystrom) and screenplay (from director John Gilling). Baker is named in BLIND SPOT for his original story! Both Nystrom and Gilling worked for Baker and Berman, so a mystery as to the appropriate credit.

This film is unique in the time it was made as the ratio is in widescreen, as can be seen by the screen captures. This wider aspect ratio may have been a test run for future scope films from the duo or just innocently reading the tea leaves. The film can be seen on Amazon's Prime, as well as many such British black-and-white films, which otherwise would not be seen this readily.

BLIND SPOT stars Robert MacKenzie an actor who looks like a cross between Fred MacMurray and Sterling Hayden.  All of MacKenzie's films seem to be made in Britain, so he was either originally Canadian or American, or else he had a great accent. With these black-and-white British films, a quota of using an American star was generally wanted.

The story has more interest in having the main character blind, but that doesn't last long, as he soon regains the sight lost in a military airplane accident. But before he regains his sight, the mystery is set in motion. He discovers a dead body at his feet and a tie-clipping with a RAF insignia. The rest of the film is okay, not particularly good or bad. It will hold interest if one is in the mood.

Unless you are a devotee of the IMDB even before you watch a film or pay attention to cast credits, you may be surprised by who turns up. I will say no more, other than he is important to the plot. And here he is....

A couple of years later, Robert MacKenzie made five episodes of the British series CHARLIE DRAKE, a slapstick comedy show somewhat similar in its skits to THE BENNY HILL SHOW. The last episode MacKenzie did in this series had an interesting name for his character. It was Dr. Wolfit!

One would like to view this episode to see if there is a mischievous wink on Donald Wolfit and some skit about BLOOD OF THE VAMPIRE. It is doubtful that this show will turn up on Prime, however.