"It Came From Beneath the Sea," directed by Robert Gordon

Movie, 1955

Enjoyable hokum with a terrifying radiation powered and enlarged octopus terrifying US nuclear submarines and the Californian Bay Area. While the special effects aren't entirely cringeworthy, they do lead to some unintentionally funny moments, as tentacles flail all over the place. Just as false are the occasional nods towards gender equality, with Faith Domergue's character showing great pluck, but then falling for the brutish navy man and screaming at the octopus. Perfectly good fun, but by no means a classic.

"Three Cases of Murder", directed by David Eady, George More O'Ferrall, Wendy Toye

Movie, 1955

Early portmanteau film, combining horror and supernatural themes across three murder stories. The first has an eerie, circular feel; the second is a more straightforward love triangle and the third a political revenge piece. The stories are a little clumsily pulled together by a narrator, although the film as a whole entertains.. The eeriness of the first section, in particular, has an affecting feel about it, with the third section notable for an over-made-up Orson Welles almost skewing the whole piece with his presence. Alan Badel is in every story, although why is a mystery in itself. 

"The Beckoning Lady", by Margery Allingham

Novel, 1955

Essentially, a country house whodunnit, but with mercantile and business characters and some fairly typical moral and other ambiguities popping up here and there. This is a soothing read which handles a large cast of characters and rather fizzles out just as things threaten to really get going. Enjoyable, though neither oddball, tense or mysterious enough to fully grip the attention. The book's almost exclusive country setting and its eccentric couple's party lend very much to the sense of familiarity, though some moments of enjoyment and strangeness with glimmers of wonderful imagery and description.

"Watson's Choice," by Gladys Mitchell

Novel, 1955

Golden age detective novel, which builds an atmosphere and mystery long before a murder is committed, then proceeds to a robust, enjoyable whodunnit. A book which is light and nimble and something of a period piece - particularly noticeable in the treatment of an 'exotic' and very psychologically baffling Spaniard. A good example of the morals and morays of an English class, with about it - mainly the atmosphere and hints at a darkness under the surface of the action - which comfortably pulls it clear of generic sludge.