The Man in Grey, directed by Leslie Arliss and featuring a screenplay adaptation by Margaret Kennedy and Doreen Montgomery from Eleanor Smith's novel, includes performances from Margaret Lockwood, James Mason, Phyllis Calvert, and Stewart Granger. Cedric Mallabey composed the music, with Arthur Crabtree handling the cinematography. Serving as an early example of Gainsborough’s Wicked Women films, The Man in Grey offers a genuinely enjoyable taste of British noir cinema. The narrative is filled with villains, self-absorbed individuals, manipulators, and those who are simply unkind, all dressed in authentic period clothing. Lord Rohan, portrayed by Mason, and Hesther Shaw, played by Lockwood, lead this cast of characters, each determined to achieve their desires regardless of the cost. Relationships—whether they involve friends or family—mean nothing if they could possibly stand in the way of their ambitions; anyone who does will be disregarded without a second thought. This tension builds until lives are destroyed and ultimately lost. The four main actors deliver excellent performances, each already establishing careers that promise substantial legacies. Arliss (also known for The Night Has Eyes) manages to keep the story straightforward despite the numerous characters and their complex personalities vying for attention, while Crabtree (of Waterloo Road fame) enhances the gloomy atmosphere through stark black-and-white photography. The film’s use of blackface is noticeably dated, as is some of the dialogue; however, these elements shouldn't detract from its overall quality. It’s a very good historical drama, full of characters who seem to have stepped directly out of noir fiction’s shadowy corners. 8/10

Source on TMDB