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Films based on the writings of Winston Graham
"Take My life" is an excellent example of films made during the early post-war era of British film making. A Rank Film that also caught the attention of Hollywood and brought its leading actress Greta Gynt to the film capital of the world. The fast paced action and merits of "Take My Life" are all due to the skillful direction of Ronald Neame, and this feeling of suspense is carefully nurtured all through the film via a dramatic development that never lets one's attention wander. The actors always remain controlled and focused throughout and obviously enjoyed the challenge of Winston Graham's script that demanded high acting skills to succeed, Rank Studios having sought out the best talents available so as to make this film a period classic of British film-noire style. "Take my Life" was widely distributed all over the world and is remembered as Greta Gynt's best liked film, both by her and her fans.
Night Without Stars 1951 UK75 mins
Fortune Is a Woman UK 1957(She Played With Fire - USA)
(From Sleeping Partner)
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Take My Life 1947 UK
A man who lived in a world which he could perceive only as varying degrees of darkness. A man who could not cross a room with confidence, yet who had the courage to walk into dangers that would scare any normal man. This was Giles Gordon half blinded by the war, who meeting and falling for the widow of a French Resistance fighter in post war Nice is suddenly plunged into untold dangers and consequences.
Jack Hawkins plays an insurance investigator who coincidentally meets an old flame Arlene Dahl who is married to Dennis Price. The aftermath of this meeting includes two fires, a possible murder, blackmail and bigamy with strong support from Geoffrey Keen and his real life father Malcolm as Hawkins' employers. There are plenty of false trail to follow and Hawkins as always is superb. This is the kind of film that reminds everyone of an England that is no more. Slow old black taxis, rain-filled glistening streets, hurrying pedestrians under umbrellas, fur coats, dancing and supper at a nightclub, and when Scotland Yard was still in the street of the same name and all the coppers resembled jovial Dixons of Dock Green. The minor characters too are well rounded creating a film that is full of suspense and plot, with the backdrop of the old house in the swirling fog and the coal smoke from the chimneys bringing back vivid memories of London in the smog laden 1950's.|
Cast: |
Alberto Dalbés .... Photographer |
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Mike, an architect, is married to Lin, a beautiful and unfaithful woman. Returning from a trip, he finds she's disappeared. When he tries to locate her, he also learns about her many affairs, and he gets closer to Marina, his efficient assistant, who helps him solve the mystery.
(From Sleeping Partner)
"Carnival of Crime" 1962 Spain/ Argentina/ Brazil »
Distributors:
- Crown International Pictures (1964) (USA)
Marnie 1964 USA
130 mins
Colour. Mono
Director: Alfred Hitchcock - seen five minutes into the film in the hotel corridor as Marnie walks by.
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Cast: |
Mariette Hartley .... Susan Clabon |
Marnie Edgar is an ice-cold habitual thief. She uses her looks to gain the confidence of her employers, robs them, and then changes her identity. Her only loves are her horse and her mother although she has problems with the latter relationship. Marnie applies for a job at Mark Rutland's Philadelphia publishing company but Mark recognises her since he is a client of her last employer, but instead of turning her in he decides to watch her. |
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Marnie 1964 USA »
Photo Gallery »
Distributors:
- Universal Pictures (1964) (USA) (theatrical)
- CIC Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
- Universal Home Video (Brazil) (DVD)
The Walking Stick UK 1970
95 mins
Colour. Mono
Director: Eric Till
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Cast: |
Dudley Sutton .... Ted Sandymount |
The film's composer Stanley Myers originally wrote his classic "Cavatina" for this film, but instead it ended up as the theme music on the soundtrack for "The Deer Hunter" (1978).
A young woman's highly ordered and structured life is turned upside-down when she meets a handsome stranger at a party. Friendship soon develops into romance and for the first time in her life she is truly happy. This happiness is short lived, however, as little by little she discovers her partner has been lying to her about his past. It is soon revealed that he and his friends have been planning to rob the auction house that she works for and they require her inside knowledge in order to pull off the crime.
The Walking Stick UK 1970 »
Distributors:
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1970) (USA) (theatrical)
The Forgotten Story UK 1983 (HTV)
HTV Ltd.
Colour
UK: 30 min (6 episodes)
Directed by John Jacobs
Writing credits Arden Winch
Produced by Martin C. Schute
Executive producer Patrick Dromgoole
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Cast (in alphabetical order): |
Angharad Rees .... Patricia |
At the turn of the century Anthony comes to Falmouth to live with his uncle. Joe Veal runs a thriving café - he is the picture of a stable, successful man. So why is his pretty daughter Patricia estranged from her attentive young husband ? Why is Joe’s wife so silent and withdrawn?
Even the inexperienced Anthony senses that beneath the prosperous surface run ominous undercurrents of passion and revenge. And it is Anthony’s arrival which will transform tension into tragedy...
The Forgotten Story UK 1983 (HTV) »
- ITV Wales, formerly known as HTV Wales, is now part of ITV plc.
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