Please Murder Me (1956): Raymond Burr and Angela Lansbury

     Endowed not only with a memorable title, Please Murder Me (1956) also delivers a semi-unique storyline that doesn't leave much need for guessing, but is entertaining throughout. Directed by Peter Godfrey, the cast does a fine job, including Raymond Burr, Angela Lansbury and Dick Foran. The trial scenes, and the tense conflicts alone make the film an underrated effort, worthy of more attention.

     Craig Carlson (Raymond Burr) is a lawyer with some difficult news to break to his old War buddy, Joe Leeds (Dick Foran)...

Please Murder Me. 1956: Raymond Burr

     He has fallen in love with Joe's wife, Myra (Angela Lansbury), and needs to request that they divorce, so he might marry her instead... 

Please Murder Me. 1956: Angela Lansbury

     Joe returns home and is shot and killed by his wife, though she claims it is self defense. Craig, as both lawyer and dutiful boyfriend, defends Myra in the trial...

Please Murder Me. 1956: Raymond Burr and Angela Lansbury

     She is acquitted of all charges... 

Please Murder Me. 1956: Raymond Burr

     Further developments occur along the way, bringing Craig to the realization that Myra did indeed intentionally murder Joe. He also discovers the evidence of a third lover involved, and the motive of money for the widow. Most hurtful is the fact that Myra never really loved him, but rather, just needed his expertise in law to get her off the hook for the crime. He plots to even the score... 

Please Murder Me. 1956: Raymond Burr and Angela Lansbury

     Wrapped in guilt, Craig decides that the only way to get truly even with his former flame, and to make square with his dead friend, is to force her to murder him as well, allowing for a new trial...

Please Murder Me. 1956: Raymond Burr and Angela Lansbury

Please Murder Me. 1956: Raymond Burr and Angela Lansbury

modern promo clip for "Please Murder Me"