The Devil's Daffodil (1961) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Tarling investigates a heroin shipment, a suspected cover-up, and a murder whose circumstances remain unresolved in the provided account.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Crates Under Suspicion

Reports about the Daffodil Killer direct attention to a shipment from Hong Kong addressed to Lyne & Co. Tarling finds heroin in the crates and questions Anne about the business and a related message.

Key Events

• Daffodil Killer Reports — Reports about the Daffodil Killer draw attention to an incoming Hong Kong shipment. Characters: Jack Tarling Location: London
• Shipment to Lyne & Co. — Tarling focuses the investigation on crates addressed to the Chinese import business. Characters: Jack Tarling Location: Lyne & Co., London
• Heroin in the Crates — Examination of the shipment reveals heroin hidden inside the crates. Characters: Jack Tarling Location: Shipment inspection
• Anne Questioned — Tarling questions recently hired Anne about the business and a Hong Kong-related message. Characters: Jack Tarling, Anne Ryder Location: Lyne & Co.
• Inquiry Turns to Lyne — Tarling's investigation turns toward Lyne and the people around him. Characters: Jack Tarling, Raymond Lyne Location: Lyne & Co.

Doubts Around the Company

The inquiry turns toward Lyne, Keene, Milburgh, and people connected to a nightclub where Gloria performs. Anne is dismissed, and the discovery of £500 in her room leads her to suspect that she has been framed.

Key Events

• Telegram and Baker's Death — The mystery of a telegram and Baker's death remains central to the inquiry. Characters: Jack Tarling Location: Investigation
• Keene's Troubled Past — Keene's debts, bad checks, and black-market history enter the inquiry; Milburgh says he still helps him. Characters: Jack Tarling, Peter Keene, Oliver Milburgh Location: Investigation
• Nightclub Inquiry — Tarling questions people associated with the company and a nightclub where Gloria performs. Characters: Jack Tarling, Gloria Location: Nightclub
• Anne Dismissed — Anne is dismissed from her job at the company. Characters: Anne Ryder Location: Lyne & Co.
• Money Found in Anne's Room — After £500 is reported missing, police search Anne's room and Tarling finds the money among her belongings. Characters: Jack Tarling, Anne Ryder Location: Anne's room
• Anne Suspects a Setup — Anne denies stealing the money and suggests Keene may have planted it at Lyne's direction. Characters: Anne Ryder, Peter Keene, Raymond Lyne Location: Investigation

Revenge and a Death

A murdered girl is identified by Ling Chu as his daughter. He seeks revenge on Lyne, but Tarling intervenes; Lyne is then found dead, making Chu an initial suspect.

Key Events

• Ling Chu's Daughter Murdered — A Chinese girl is found murdered; Ling Chu tells Tarling she was his daughter. Characters: Jack Tarling, Ling Chu Location: Unspecified
• Chu Seeks Revenge — Chu sets out to kill Lyne, and Tarling intervenes to stop him acting alone. Characters: Jack Tarling, Ling Chu, Raymond Lyne Location: Unspecified
• Lyne Found Dead — Lyne is found dead, and suspicion initially falls on Chu. Characters: Jack Tarling, Raymond Lyne, Ling Chu Location: Unspecified

The Unresolved Apartment

The timeline challenges suspicion of Chu, and Tarling concludes that Lyne was killed at Anne's home rather than in a cemetery. A note and key point toward her apartment, but the account ends before Anne's whereabouts or Lyne's killer are confirmed.

Key Events

• Surveillance Timeline Challenged — Tarling learns Lyne died before midnight, while Chu was lost from surveillance later. Characters: Jack Tarling, Ling Chu, Raymond Lyne Location: Investigation
• Death at Anne's Home — Tarling concludes Lyne was killed at Anne's home, not in a cemetery; a note and key connect Lyne to her apartment. Characters: Jack Tarling, Anne Ryder, Raymond Lyne Location: Anne Ryder's home
• Unanswered Call to Anne — A caller says Anne is away; Tarling suspects this may be a prepared answer and asks to speak with her. Characters: Jack Tarling, Anne Ryder Location: Telephone call to Anne's home

Story Breakdown

• The Hong Kong Shipment — Reports lead Tarling to crates sent to Lyne & Co., where he discovers heroin.
  • Killer Reports — Reports about the Daffodil Killer draw attention to an incoming shipment.
  • Hidden Heroin — Tarling has the crates examined and discovers heroin inside.
• Questions at Lyne Co — Tarling questions Anne and follows leads involving the company and a Hong Kong message.
  • Anne Interview — Tarling asks Anne about the business and the message.
  • Telegram Mystery — A telegram and Baker's death remain important to the investigation.
• Keene and Milburgh — Keene's troubled history and Milburgh's stated willingness to help him enter the inquiry.
  • Keene's Debts — Keene has a history of debts, bad checks, and black-market activity.
  • Milburgh's Support — Milburgh describes himself as one of the few people still willing to help Keene.
• Anne Under Suspicion — Anne is dismissed, and the discovery of money in her room creates a dispute over whether she was framed.
  • Money in Her Room — Tarling finds the reported missing £500 among Anne's belongings.
  • Alleged Setup — Anne suggests Keene may have planted the money at Lyne's direction.
• Chu's Revenge — After identifying the murdered girl as his daughter, Chu sets out to kill Lyne.
  • Daughter Identified — Chu tells Tarling that the murdered Chinese girl was his daughter.
  • Tarling Intervenes — Tarling insists that Chu cannot pursue Lyne on his own.
• Lyne's Death — Lyne is found dead, and the timing complicates the suspicion that Chu killed him.
  • Initial Suspicion — Tarling initially hears that Chu was being watched when Lyne was found dead.
  • Timeline Conflict — Lyne died before midnight, while Chu was lost from surveillance later.
• The Apartment Clue — Tarling connects Lyne's death to Anne's home but does not confirm the killer.
  • Note and Key — A note apparently from Anne invites Lyne to her apartment and sends him a key; Tarling suspects it may be forged.
  • Unanswered Question — A caller says Anne is away, and Tarling asks to speak with her before the account ends.

Directed by

Ákos Ráthonyi

Key Cast

• Joachim Fuchsberger — Jack Tarling
• Sabine Sesselmann — Anne Ryder
• Klaus Kinski — Peter Keene
• Ingrid van Bergen — Gloria
• Christopher Lee — Ling Chu