The Straw Man is a 1953 British second feature ('B') crime film directed by Donald Taylor and starring Dermot Walsh, Clifford Evans and Lana Morris. It was written by Taylor based on the 1951 novel Straw Man by Doris Miles Disney. It was released by United Artists. Its storyline focuses on insurance fraud.
Lincoln Hunter's ex-girlfriend is found dead in his house, and he is convicted of her murder. Because he has a large life policy his life, the insurance company assign their chief investigator Jeff Howard to investigate, assisted by private detective Mal Ferris.
It was shot partly on location in Brighton. Filming also took place at Wembley Studios with sets designed by Duncan Sutherland.
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "The suspense, which carries the first part of the film, sags in the middle and disappears before the end. This may be due to the fact that the entire film (apart from one short sequence at the beginning) is shot indoors, and the players seem to suffer from the lack of air."
Kine Weekly wrote: "Its mostly talk and constant chatter adds to the confusion, Few will know what it is all about and will care less. ...The picture poses a pretty problem at the start, but soon substitutes words for deeds. Clifford Evans, as Howard, triumphs over an untidy script, but Dermot Walsh and Lana Morris exaggerate as Ferris and Ruth. Tho rest aren't much better. The denouement too, lacks punch and showmanship."
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928âÂÂ1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "mediocre", writing: "Thriller loses one's interest after tense beginning."