The Man in Black (film)
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| The Man in Black | |
|---|---|
.jpg) handbill poster | |
| Directed by | Francis Searle |
| Written by | John Gilling from a story by Francis Searle from the radio series by John Dickson Carr |
| Produced by | Anthony Hinds |
| Starring | Betty Ann Davies Sheila Burrell Sid James Anthony Forwood Valentine Dyall |
| Cinematography | Cedric Williams |
| Edited by | John Ferris Ray Pitt |
| Music by | Rupert Grayson Frank Spencer |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Exclusive Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
The Man in Black is a 1950 British thriller film directed by Francis Searle and starring Betty Ann Davies, Sheila Burrell and Sid James.[1] It was adapted by Hammer Film Productions from the popular British radio series Appointment with Fear featuring Valentine Dyall.[2] Dyall (The "Man in Black" of the radio series) here provides the on screen introduction to the film, as "The Story-Teller."[3]
Plot[edit]
After the death of her yogi father during a freak "yoga accident," Joan Clavering returns home to her widowed and suddenly very wealthy step-mother Bertha. The latter conspires with her daughter Janice to drive Joan insane and deprive her of her rightful inheritance.[4][5][6]
Cast[edit]
- Betty Ann Davies as Bertha Clavering
- Sheila Burrell as Janice
- Sidney James as Henry Clavering / Hodson
- Anthony Forwood as Victor Harrington
- Valentine Dyall as the Man in Black
- Gerald Case as Doctor
- Hazel Penwarden as Joan Clavering
- Laurence Baskcomb as Sandford
- Courtney Hope as Carter
- Mollie Palmer as Elsie
Critical reception[edit]
TV Guide wrote, "The story is drivel, with some unintentionally campy plot developments. It was adapted from a British radio series, perhaps proving that some dramas are better heard than seen."[7]
Fantastic Movie Musings and Ramblings wrote, "One of Hammer's earlier forays into horror. This one is highly recommended."[5]
Leonard Maltin called it a "clever little thriller with some surprises and a rare noncomic role for James."[2]
References[edit]
- ^ "Man in Black".
- ^ a b "Man in Black, The (1949) - Overview - TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies.
- ^ "MAN IN BLACK, THE (1949)". Otrdvd.co. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
- ^ "The Man in Black | BFI | BFI". Explore.bfi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
- ^ a b "Fantastic Movie Musings & Ramblings - MAN IN BLACK (1949)". Scifilm.org. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
- ^ "The Man in Black (1950) - Trailers, Reviews, Synopsis, Showtimes and Cast - AllMovie". AllMovie.
- ^ "The Man In Black Review". Movies.tvguide.com. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
External links[edit]
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- 1950 films
- 1949 films
- 1940s thriller films
- British thriller films
- Films directed by Francis Searle
- Hammer Film Productions horror films
- British black-and-white films
- Films based on radio series
- 1940s English-language films
- 1950s English-language films
- 1940s British films
- 1950s British films
- Films scored by Frank Spencer
- 1940s British film stubs
- 1940s thriller film stubs