MovieChat Forums > Footsteps in the Fog (1955) Discussion > Why the 5 minutes?

Why the 5 minutes?

posted 13 years ago by bruno-32
6 replies | jump to latest

TCM played it this afternoon and enjoyable. Smart move by the police with the signature. Perhaps I missed something or just a bit dense, could someone tell me why Stewart's character would take the poison on the premise that Lilly would come back in 5 minutes? He wanted her to take the fall for his wife's death, and pretend that she tried to kill him to...is the only thing I can think of. If that is the case, why would he take it on the hope she will return to save him, and tell the police that she tried to poison him too? Why not take it when she is there, unknowingly to her, and than tell her he that he wanted to kill himself, but changed his mind after taking it and knowing she would do anything for him and try to save him, but tell the police that she tried to poison him. That is a bit of a stretch to make a point...I dare say. LOL

[–] Catfishbunter 13 years ago

I agree. I suppose that he was counting on her being there to see his condition grow incredibly worse and then get him to a hospital, the doctor, etc. where he could get treated and then blame her for poisoning him. But let's face it, Granger's character was not the brightest bulb in the box throughout the whole picture.

Sidenote: did anyone else get the impression that this was an adaptation from a play? It sure felt like it.

[–] TheDuchessofM 13 years ago

It was adapted from a short story, "The Interruption" by W.W. Jacobs http://www.daily-pulp.com/horror/the-interruption-by-ww-jacobs/

[–] Catfishbunter 13 years ago

Thanks so much!

[–] Jason_Radley 12 years ago

Did you miss the last 5 minutes? He didn't just poison hmself on the one occasion but had been administering it to himself over time (hence his illness and the visits by the doctor) so as to make his charge more credible. He had no reason to think that the devoted Lily wouldn't return presently with the doctor, as indeed she would have if the police hadn't picked her up. I'm not sure how this intended plot by Lily to kill Lowry could be squared with her testimony that saved him from the murder charge but that would be to afford this potboiler with more credibility than it deserves.

[–] Marlburian 12 years ago

The doctor may well have lived just around the corner, but the Granger character was taking a lot for granted in assuming he would be in and not having an evening out or visiting another patient.

An enjoyable film.

[–] AssetsonFire 11 years ago

Because it would make no sense for Lilly to inform the police while he was still alive if she was trying to kill him. It would surely arouse the police's suspicions.

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