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Private Information is a classic British film-noir drama from 1952 that features an intriguing story, strong performances, and some stylish film-making. The film tells the story of a young secretary named Joan (Carol Marsh), who gets embroiled in a con game involving stolen classified government documents. Joan is hired by a private detective named Peter (Jack Watling) to help him investigate the case, but soon finds herself in over her head as she becomes entangled in a web of lies, double crosses, and dangerous alliances.

The film opens with a series of intriguing scenes that set the mood for the rest of the story. We see Joan walking through the foggy streets of London, looking tense and nervous. She gets a phone call from someone who tells her to meet them at a specific location. When she arrives, she's greeted by an older man named Mr. Marsden (played by the legendary British actor Felix Aylmer), who offers her a job as his personal secretary. Joan is hesitant at first, but she needs the money, so she agrees to take the job.

Soon after starting work, Joan is given a mysterious package to deliver to an unknown recipient. The package contains some seemingly innocuous documents, but Joan is told to keep it secret and not tell anyone about the contents. Joan is naturally curious, and she starts to ask questions about what's going on. She discovers that Mr. Marsden is involved in a large-scale espionage activity, and that he's trying to sell the stolen documents to the highest bidder. Joan is horrified and tells Mr. Marsden that she wants nothing to do with it.

However, things quickly escalate when Mr. Marsden is found dead in his flat. Joan is the only person who knows about the documents, and she's worried that she'll be implicated in his murder. She decides to seek help from a private detective named Peter, who's investigating the case. Peter is initially wary of Joan, but he soon realizes that she's telling the truth and that she's in danger. They team up to try and find the real killer, but things get complicated when they both start to develop feelings for each other.

The film is full of twists and turns, as Joan and Peter try to unravel the mystery of who killed Mr. Marsden and why. They encounter a host of shady characters, including a sinister man named Parnell (played by the great character actor Kynaston Reeves), who's trying to get his hands on the documents. There are also some tense moments as Joan and Peter try to evade the police, who are also looking for them.

The performances in Private Information are uniformly excellent. Carol Marsh (who was a rising star at the time) is particularly good as Joan, balancing vulnerability and toughness in a way that makes her a compelling heroine. Jack Watling is also very good as Peter, bringing a sharp wit and a dry sense of humor to the role. The supporting cast is strong too, with Felix Aylmer and Kynaston Reeves standing out in particular.

The film is stylishly directed by Fergus McDonell, who uses shadowy lighting and tight close-ups to create a tense, claustrophobic atmosphere. There are some great scenes set in seedy nightclubs and dingy back alleys that help to evoke the underbelly of London's criminal underworld. The film also features a moody, jazzy score by John Greenwood that adds to the overall atmosphere of menace and intrigue.

Overall, Private Information is a well-crafted and entertaining film noir that fans of the genre should definitely seek out. It's a suspenseful mystery that keeps you guessing right up until the end, with some strong performances and stylish direction that make it a standout of its era.

Private Information is a 1952 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 2 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.