''Cast a Dark Shadow'' is a 1955 British suspense

film noir Film noir (; ) is a style of Cinema of the United States, Hollywood Crime film, crime dramas that emphasizes cynicism (contemporary), cynical attitudes and motivations. The 1940s and 1950s are generally regarded as the "classic period" of Ameri ...

directed by

Lewis Gilbert Lewis Gilbert (6 March 1920 – 23 February 2018) was an English film director, producer and screenwriter who directed more than 40 films during six decades; among them such varied titles as '' Reach for the Sky'' (1956), '' Sink the Bismarck! ...

and written by John Cresswell, based on the 1952 play '' Murder Mistaken'' by Janet Green. It stars

Dirk Bogarde Sir Dirk Bogarde (born Derek Jules Gaspard Ulric Niven van den Bogaerde; 28 March 1921 – 8 May 1999) was an English actor, novelist and screenwriter. Initially a matinée idol in films such as ''Doctor in the House (film), Doctor in the Hous ...

, Margaret Lockwood, Kay Walsh,

Kathleen Harrison Kathleen Harrison (23 February 1892 – 7 December 1995) was a prolific English character actress best remembered for her role as Mrs. Huggett (opposite Jack Warner and Petula Clark) in a trio of British post-war comedies about a working-cla ...

, and Robert Flemyng. The film was released on 20 September 1955, distributed by Eros Films Ltd. in the United Kingdom and Distributors Corporation of America in the United States. The story concerns a husband who murders his wife.

Plot

Married for a year, Edward "Teddy" Bare kills his wealthy older wife Monica after she asks her lawyer Phillip Mortimer to change her will. He stages it to look as if she accidentally asphyxiated while drunkenly trying to light the gas fire (he having assiduously encouraged her to drink heavily as part of his control over her). To his chagrin, he discovers that she intended to leave him all her money; instead, he only inherits the mansion from a previous will while her fortune is left in trust to her only relative, her sister Dora. She leaves £200 to the elderly maid, but Edward convinces the maid that this money was in lieu of wages, getting her to work for free. Edward will receive the main inheritance only if Dora dies. An inquest rules it an accident, but Phillip, Monica's lawyer, makes it clear that he suspects Edward. When Edward asks where Dora lives, Phillip tells him she is in Jamaica. Edward meets Freda, a merry widow, in a seaside hotel and woos her. He invites her to stay at the huge house which he has inherited. She becomes friendly with the maid. Edward manages to marry a lower-class but well-off widow Freda Jeffries, who is closer to Edward's age than Monica, but much less trusting than her predecessor, keeping tight control over her fortune. As the death of a second spouse so soon after the first would be highly suspicious, he is powerless to do anything. The new couple meet Charlotte Young, whose car has broken down. Charlotte is looking for a house to purchase for an equestrian school. As Edward was an estate agent before he married Monica, he shows her several properties, making Freda jealous. Edward lures Charlotte to his mansion late one night while Freda and the servant are out. He reveals he knows that Charlotte is Dora, and then he brazenly admits killing her sister before trying to make her leave. Suspicious, she remains where she is. However, Freda and Emily return home unexpectedly because Emily feels unwell, and Freda escorts Charlotte to the door. After Charlotte drives away, Edward tells a horrified Freda that he killed Monica, secure in the knowledge that a wife cannot be compelled to testify against her husband and that he expects to inherit Charlotte's money shortly because he has tampered with the brakes on her car. He is shocked when Phillip enters the room, having heard his confession, followed by his intended victim. She had returned to the house after meeting the lawyer at the estate's gate. Edward flees in his car, but the entrance is blocked by Charlotte's and Phillip's automobiles. With Phillip in pursuit, Edward switches to another vehicle, only to realise too late that he has taken Charlotte's car. He loses control and drives over a cliff to his death.

Cast

as Edward "Teddy" Bare * Margaret Lockwood as Freda Jeffries * Kay Walsh as Charlotte Young *

as Emily (Emmie), the Bares' maid * Robert Flemyng as Phillip Mortimer *

Mona Washbourne Mona Lee Washbourne (27 November 1903 – 15 November 1988) was an English people, English actress of stage, film, and television. Her most critically acclaimed role was in the film ''Stevie (1978 film), Stevie'' (1978), late in her career, for ...

as Monica (Monnie) Bare *

Philip Stainton Philip Stainton (9 April 1908 – 1 August 1961) was an English actor. Stainton appeared in several Ealing comedies and major international movies. He specialized in playing friendly or exasperated uniformed policemen, but also appeared in ot ...

as Charlie Mann, a business associate of Edward * Walter Hudd as Coroner *

Lita Roza Lilian Patricia Lita Roza (14 March 1926 – 14 August 2008) was an English singer best known for her 1953 recording " (How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window?", which reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart. She was the first British woman to h ...

as singer (her film debut)

Production

The film was based on the play ''Murder Mistaken'' by Janet Green. Green wanted Dirk Bogarde to be in the play, but he declined, and Derek Farr played the role. When

was making '' The Sea Shall Not Have Them'' (1954), he saw the play and thought it would make a good film, and he persuaded Bogarde to play the lead. Bogarde persuaded Margaret Lockwood to co-star. "I was dubious about being able to play such a character, though I liked her honesty," said Lockwood.Eric Braun, "The indestructibles", ''Films and Filming'' September 1973 p 38 Filming started at Elstree Studios on 12 April 1955 under the title ''Naked Flame''. It was Gilbert's first production for his own company. "I think it was an interesting plot, very claustrophobic," said Gilbert. "I think it was the best thing Margaret Lockwood did. She was great in the film." Dirk Bogarde later said, "The unwholesomeness of the hero was what was fun about it."

Reception

Box office

According to ''

Kinematograph Weekly ''Kinematograph Weekly'', popularly known as ''Kine Weekly'', was a trade paper catering to the British film industry between 1889 and 1971. Etymology The word Kinematograph was derived from the Greek ' Kinumai ', (to move, to be in motion, to ...

'', the film was a "money maker" at the British box office in 1955. However, Dirk Bogarde said "The film was a failure":

It was the first time I had come under another star's name – Margaret Lockwood – and it just died, which was a pity because it was a very good movie, and I had persuaded Maggie to do it. I remember being on tour in Cardiff with a play and I saw a poster for ''Cast a Dark Shadow,'' it had 'Dirk Bogarde in ''Cast a Dark Shadow''' and, at the very bottom, 'with Margaret Lockwood'. They altered the billing order because they saw it was dying and that, astoundingly, her name had killed it, though it was probably her best performance ever.Brian McFarlane, ''An Autobiography of British Cinema'', Methuen 1997 p 70

Lewis Gilbert later said, "It was reasonably successful but by then Margaret ockwoodhad been in several bad films and her name on a picture was rather counter-productive."Brian MacFarlane, ''An Autobiography of British Cinema'', Methuen 1997 p 221 He said she got "wonderful notices" but it was "too late for her. She'd already lost her audience. The film just scraped home, we just made a profit." "I'm glad I did it, but am still wondering exactly where it got me," said Lockwood in 1973. After making the movie, she did not appear in a feature film for another 21 years.

Critical reception

Monthly Film Bulletin The ''Monthly Film Bulletin'' was a periodical of the British Film Institute published monthly from February 1934 until April 1991, when it merged with '' Sight & Sound''. It reviewed all films on release in the United Kingdom, including those wi ...

'' wrote "This is an old-fashioned and thorough-going melodrama, adapted from the stage and retaining – notably in the big scene in which Bare confronts his victim’s sister – a decidedly theatrical flavour. It is conventionally but competently managed, achieving an occasional note of the authentically squalid and shabby in developing Bare’s dealings with the three women. Although built up largely through mannerisms, Margaret Lockwood’s performance as the retired barmaid has considerable spirit."

Bosley Crowther Francis Bosley Crowther Jr. (July 13, 1905 – March 7, 1981) was an American journalist, writer, and film critic for ''The New York Times'' for 27 years. His work helped shape the careers of many actors, directors and screenwriters, though some ...

of ''The New York Times'' wrote that the actors are skilled but "they are not offered many opportunities to make ''Cast a Dark Shadow'' mysterious or tense." ''

Maclean's ''Maclean's'' is a Canadian magazine founded in 1905 which reports on Canadian issues such as politics, pop culture, trends and current events. Its founder, publisher John Bayne Maclean, established the magazine to provide a uniquely Canadian ...

'' film reviewer Clyde Gilmour described the film as " solid little murder thriller from Britain." ''Halliwell's Film & Video Guide'' described the film as " nambitiousbut enjoyable melodrama, well acted though with directorial opportunities missed." In ''British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959'', David Quinlan rated the film as "good", writing "Stagey thriller, played with panache."

Leslie Halliwell Robert James Leslie Halliwell (23 February 1929 – 21 January 1989) was a British film critic, encyclopaedist and television rights buyer for ITV, the British commercial network, and Channel 4. He is best known for his reference guides, '' Fi ...

stated "Unambitious but enjoyable melodrama, well acted though with directorial opportunities missed." ''The

Radio Times ''Radio Times'' is a British weekly listings magazine devoted to television and radio programme schedules, with other features such as interviews, film reviews and lifestyle items. Founded in September 1923 by John Reith, then general manage ...

Guide to Films'' gave the film 3/5 stars, writing: "After murdering his wife Mona Washbourne for her money, Dirk Bogarde marries canny Margaret Lockwood who proves less easy to dispose of. When he meets Kay Walsh, however, murder is back on the agenda. A modest but entertaining melodrama, directed by Lewis Gilbert with a stylish and proficient cast. Lockwood, who would return to the screen only once more two decades later, is particularly effective."

Home media

''Cast a Dark Shadow'' was given a DVD commercial release by Simply Media in June 2015.