Send for Paul Temple (1946) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Paul Temple follows coded clues, murders, and concealed identities until the criminal conspiracy is exposed and his partnership with Steve becomes personal.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Robberies and the Green Finger

A series of jewellery robberies and a police killing establish the Midlands Gang threat. The dying watchman's reference to the Green Finger draws attention to a hidden connection.

Key Events

• Derby Jewellery Robbery — Criminals steal jewellery in daylight and shoot a police officer during their escape. Location: A jeweller's shop in Derby
• The Green Finger Clue — A second robbery ends with a dying night watchman mentioning the Green Finger. Location: Another jeweller's shop
• Paul Receives the Case — A newspaper raises Paul's possible involvement, and the investigation is brought to his home. Characters: Paul Temple, Diana Thornley, Dr. Milton Location: Paul Temple's home in Bramley
• Journey to the Pub — Paul drives to retrieve the inspector's belongings while discussing the Green Finger clue. Characters: Paul Temple Location: Road to the Little General
• Inspector's Apparent Suicide — A gunshot is heard, and the inspector is reported to have shot himself inside the pub. Characters: Paul Temple, Dr. Milton, Miss Amelia Marchment Location: The Little General pub

A Death at the Pub

Paul becomes involved after an inspector apparently shoots himself at the Little General. Historical research identifies the pub's former name as the Green Finger.

Key Events

• The Pub's Former Name — Marchment reveals that the pub was originally called the Green Finger. Characters: Paul Temple, Miss Amelia Marchment Location: The Little General pub
• Steve Arrives at Bramley — A London reporter arrives to interview Paul and learns that her brother has died. Characters: Paul Temple, Steve Trent Location: Paul Temple's home
• Identity at the Morgue — Steve identifies her brother and discusses the suspicious circumstances of his death with Paul. Characters: Paul Temple, Steve Trent Location: The morgue
• The Cape Town Connection — Steve links the murder to an earlier investigation involving a criminal organization and a mysterious leader. Characters: Paul Temple, Steve Trent Location: The morgue
• Pigeons Leave the Pub — While horse riding, Paul and Steve notice pigeons being released from the pub. Characters: Paul Temple, Steve Trent Location: Near the Little General

Aliases and Poison

Steve joins Paul's investigation and connects the case to an earlier criminal organization. Further robberies, poisoning, and the discovery of pigeon smuggling widen the conspiracy.

Key Events

• Leamington Crash Robbery — A lorry crashes into a jeweller's shop, allowing Dixie to steal jewellery during the confusion. Characters: Diana Thornley, Dixie Location: A jeweller's shop in Leamington
• A Criminal Dies — Paul receives news of the crash, while a criminal agrees to talk and then dies from poisoning. Characters: Paul Temple, Sir Graham Forbes Location: An investigation office
• Steve's Hidden Identity — Marchment reveals that Steve Trent is using an alias to protect her identity. Characters: Steve Trent, Sir Graham Forbes, Miss Amelia Marchment Location: Sir Graham Forbes's office
• The Pigeon-Smuggling Briefing — The investigators conclude that jewellery is being flown from the Little General by pigeon. Characters: Paul Temple, Sir Graham Forbes Location: Police briefing room

The PENG Trail

A police raid finds another murder and a coded message. Marchment interprets PENG as the First Penguin while Steve's abduction raises the immediate danger.

Key Events

• Raid on the Little General — Police raid the pub and find the landlord murdered. Location: The Little General pub
• The PENG Code — A code reading PENG is found, and Marchment identifies it as the First Penguin pub. Characters: Miss Amelia Marchment Location: The Little General basement
• Steve Is Abducted — A telephone call informs the police that Steve has been abducted. Characters: Steve Trent, Miss Amelia Marchment Location: The Little General pub
• Marchment's True Mission — Marchment reveals that she is secretly pursuing the killer of her husband. Characters: Miss Amelia Marchment Location: The Little General basement

Masks Fall at Last

Poisoning, attacks, and a roadside chase bring the investigation to the First Penguin. Hidden identities are exposed, the mastermind is unmasked, and Paul and Steve leave to marry.

Key Events

• Poison at the First Penguin — A criminal is poisoned, Diana exposes the danger, and Dr. Milton confines Dixie in a cupboard. Characters: Diana Thornley, Dr. Milton, Dixie Location: The First Penguin pub
• The Body Disposal Witnessed — Steve witnesses Dr. Milton disposing of the poisoned criminal's body. Characters: Steve Trent, Dr. Milton Location: The First Penguin pub
• Dixie Attacks Marchment — Dixie wakes, attacks Marchment, and a telephone call is traced to Paul's house. Characters: Dixie, Miss Amelia Marchment Location: Paul Temple's house
• The Roadside Shootout — Dixie shoots at Paul and Steve from another car, which they force off the road. Characters: Paul Temple, Steve Trent, Dixie Location: A country road
• The Cut Telephone Wires — Sir Graham discovers cut telephone wires, and a message is sent through a window. Characters: Paul Temple, Steve Trent Location: Paul Temple's house
• Guarding the First Penguin — Paul instructs the police to guard the pub before he and Steve return there. Characters: Paul Temple, Steve Trent Location: The First Penguin pub
• Diana's Hidden Identity — Paul and Steve discover that Diana Thornley is using the identity of the gang's female associate. Characters: Paul Temple, Steve Trent, Diana Thornley Location: The First Penguin pub
• The Mastermind Unmasked — The criminal mastermind is exposed as someone masquerading as a senior inspector; Marchment is found tied in a cupboard. Characters: Paul Temple, Steve Trent, Miss Amelia Marchment Location: The First Penguin pub
• Paul and Steve Leave — Paul and Steve drive away together to get married after the criminal investigation reaches its conclusion. Characters: Paul Temple, Steve Trent Location: Road from the First Penguin

Story Breakdown

• Criminal Outbreak — Daylight jewellery robberies establish the gang's methods and escalating violence.
  • Derby Robbery — Criminals steal jewellery and kill a police officer during escape.
  • Leamington Distraction — A lorry crash creates an opportunity for another jewellery theft.
• Green Finger Mystery — A dying clue connects the robberies to the history of a local pub.
  • Watchman's Clue — The night watchman names the Green Finger before dying.
  • Pub Name Discovery — Marchment confirms the Little General was once called the Green Finger.
• Paul Joins Investigation — Paul is drawn into the case and begins working alongside Steve.
  • Official Request — The police seek Paul's help with the Midlands Gang investigation.
  • Steve's Testimony — Steve explains her brother's death and asks Paul to find the killer.
• Hidden Smuggling Network — The investigation uncovers a covert method for moving stolen jewellery.
  • Pigeon Evidence — Paul and Steve observe pigeons leaving the suspicious pub.
  • Police Pub Raid — A raid finds the landlord murdered and produces the PENG code.
• PENG Leads Forward — The coded message redirects the investigation toward the First Penguin.
  • Code Interpretation — Marchment identifies PENG as the First Penguin pub.
  • Marchment's Secret — Marchment reveals that she is pursuing her husband's murderer.
• Poison and Pursuit — The conspiracy becomes openly violent as witnesses are attacked and pursued.
  • First Penguin Poisoning — A poisoned drink exposes danger inside the criminal gathering.
  • Roadside Attack — Dixie shoots at Paul and Steve before losing control of his car.
• Final Unmasking — The final investigation reveals the hidden identities behind the criminal operation.
  • Diana's Secret — Diana is revealed to be using the identity of the gang's female associate.
  • Mastermind Exposed — The criminal leader is revealed to have masqueraded as a senior inspector.
  • Marriage Resolution — Paul and Steve drive away together to get married.

Directed by

John Argyle

Key Cast

• Anthony Hulme — Paul Temple
• Joy Shelton — Steve Trent
• Tamara Desni — Diana Thornley
• Jack Raine — Sir Graham Forbes
• Beatrice Varley — Miss Amelia Marchment