The Saint's Vacation (1941)

By CinemaSerf

Hugh Sinclair does a workmanlike job here as the enigmatic "Simon Templar" who just wants to take a peaceful holiday. There's not much chance, though, when he becomes embroiled with a mysterious plot to obtain a rather plain looking musical box. When he discovers that it's none other than his arch-foe "Hauser" (Cecil Parker) who wants the thing, his interest is piqued. What's so special about it? With the help of his stalwart "Monty" (Arthur Macrae) they are soon on it's trail - despite the frequently irritating interventions of pushy journalist "Mary" (Sally Gray). It's that latter effort that spoiled this for me. Her character is so annoying that I'd cheerfully have thrown her over-board. If you are eagle-eyed you might spot Felix Aylmer here, and there's a decent enough dynamic between Parker and Sinclair when the drama is left to them on screen going through the predicable but watchable motions. Sadly though, there's just too much of Gray as it develops, and I lost interest.