Bedelia (film)
| Bedelia | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Directed by | Lance Comfort |
| Produced by | Isadore Goldsmith |
| Written by |
Vera Caspary Herbert Victor Isadore Goldsmith |
| Based on | the novel by Vera Caspary |
| Starring |
Margaret Lockwood Ian Hunter Anne Crawford |
| Music by | Hans May |
| Cinematography | Freddie Young |
Production company |
British National Films John Corfield Productions |
| Distributed by |
Eagle-Lion Films (US) General Film Distributors (UK) J. Arthur Rank Film (Germany) |
Release dates | 1946 |
Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | UK |
| Box office | $350,000 (US)[1] |
Bedelia is a 1946 British drama film directed by Lance Comfort and starring Margaret Lockwood, Ian Hunter and Barry K. Barnes.[2] It is an adaptation of the novel Bedelia by Vera Caspary with events moved from the United States to England and Monaco.
Plot
Bedelia Carrington (Margaret Lockwood) is apparently happily married and on her honeymoon in Monte Carlo with Charlie Carrington (Ian Hunter.) However, a cultivated young artist, Ben Chaney (Barry K. Barnes), begins probing into her past with curious concern. Chaney, in reality a detective, suspects that Bedelia's obsession for money has led her, in the past, to dispose of more than one husband for the insurance money.[3]
Main cast
- Margaret Lockwood ... Bedelia Carrington
- Ian Hunter ... Charlie Carrington
- Barry K. Barnes ... Ben Chaney
- Anne Crawford ... Ellen
- Beatrice Varley ... Mary
- Louise Hampton ... Hannah
- Jill Esmond ... Nurse Harris
- Julien Mitchell ... Dr. McAfee
- Vi Stevens ... Mrs. McAfee
- Kynaston Reeves ... Mr. Bennett
- Olga Lindo ... Mrs. Bennett
- John Salew ... Alec Johnstone
- Barbara Blair ... Sylvia Johnstone
- Daphne Arthur ... Miss Jenkins
- Claude Bailey ... Capt. McKelvey
- Ellen Pollock ... McKelvey's Housekeeper
- Henry De Bray ... M.Martin
- Marcel Poncin ... M. Perrin
- Michael Martin Harvey ... Abbé
- Sonia Sergyl ... Abbé's Housekeeper
- Aubrey Mallalieu ... Vicar
- Oscar Nation ... Police Inspector
Production
The film was made with two endings, one for England, the other for the US.[4]
Reception
The movie was the first released in America by Rank under its new agreement with Eagle Lion Films. Rank hoped it would be a success, but it only grossed $350,000.[1]
In terms of the critics, TV Guide noted, "Margaret Lockwood appears in one of her best villainous roles, played this time with subtlety";[5] while Leonard Maltin called the film "absorbing but not terribly suspenseful";[3] The New York Times described it as "pretty much of a disappointment";[6] and Noir of the Week wrote, "Laura is often identified as one of the all-time great noir films...but in many ways, Bedelia is the better, more complex, and subversive film." [7]
Radio adaptation
Bedelia was presented on Hollywood Star Time October 26, 1946. Herbert Marshall and Gene Tierney starred in the adaptation.[8]
References
- 1 2 Tino Balio, United Artists: The Company That Changed the Film Industry, University of Wisconsin Press, 1987 p. 32
- ↑ "Bedelia". BFI.
- 1 2 "Bedelia (1946) - Overview - TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies.
- ↑ NOTES FROM LONDON'S FILM STUDIOS: Thriller What, No Love Affair? By C.A. LEJEUNE. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 23 Dec 1945: X5.
- ↑ "Bedelia". TV Guide.
- ↑ "Movie Review - Bedelia - ' Bedelia,' Psychological Thriller Based on Vera Caspary Book, With Margaret Lockwood in Lead, New Bill at Victoria - NYTimes.com".
- ↑ "Film Noir of the Week: Bedelia (1946)".
- ↑ "Hollywood Host". Harrisburg Telegraph. October 26, 1946. p. 21. Retrieved September 29, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
External links
- Bedelia at the Internet Movie Database
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