Girl on the Pier, The (1953) – Nostalgia Central

Chief Inspector Robert Chubb of Scotland Yard (Charles Victor) is accompanied by his homely spouse Clara (Marjorie Rhodes), daughter Kathy (Eileen Moore), and his schoolboy son Charlie (Anthony Valentine) when he visits Brighton to deliver a lecture to the local constabulary.

While dad is fishing, Charlie – a chip off the old block – slips into a sinister waxworks and Chamber of Horrors on Brighton’s West Pier and discovers that the owner Joe Hammond (Campbell Singer) not only has a past but is on far from amicable terms with his dolly bird wife, Rita (Veronica Hurst).

Charlie also learns that Nick (Ron Randell) – an ex-con who masquerades as an end-of-the-pier crooner – was once Joe’s partner in crime and is now much closer to Rita.

After more snooping. Charlie realises that Joe is setting the stage to kill Nick – who is about to rob Joe’s safe and elope with Rita – and hide his body among the figures in his waxworks.

Charlie informs his father, but it is too late to prevent Joe from shooting Nick. Joe tries to escape, disguised as a clown, but falls into the sea and drowns.

The plot is completely transparent, and the film shows its hand too early in the proceedings to end on a note of surprise.

Rita Hammond
Veronica Hurst
Nick Lane
Ron Randell
Chief Inspector Chubb
Charles Victor
Clara Chubb
Marjorie Rhodes
Joe Hammond
Campbell Singer
Kathy Chubb
Eileen Moore
Ronnie Hall
Brian Roper
Charlie Chubb
Anthony Valentine
Det. Sergeant Webb
Steve Conway
Cyclist
Raymond James
Girl Friend
Diana Wilding

Director
Lance Comfort