The Long Dark Hall
| The Long Dark Hall | |
|---|---|
 U.S. theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | |
| Written by | Nunnally Johnson |
| Based on | A Case to Answer by Edgar Lustgarten |
| Produced by | Peter Cusick |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Wilkie Cooper |
| Edited by | Tom Simpson |
| Music by | Benjamin Frankel |
Production company | Cusick International Films Inc. |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
Release date |
|
Running time | 86 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
The Long Dark Hall is a 1951 British (Brit-noir), mystery, suspense, courtroom-drama, crime film directed by Reginald Beck and Anthony Bushell and starring Rex Harrison, Lilli Palmer and Raymond Huntley. It was based on the 1947 novel A Case to Answer by Edgar Lustgarten. It was made at Walton Studios.
Plot summary[]
After a showgirl begins an affair with Arthur Groome, a married man, she is found murdered. Groome discovers her body but fearing his wife's knowledge of his affair he does not summon the police; he soon becomes the prime suspect for the murder.[1] Most of the film portrays the trial of Groome at the Old Bailey, London.
Cast[]
- Rex Harrison - Arthur Groome
- Lilli Palmer - Mary Groome
- Tania Heald - Sheila Groome
- Henrietta Barry - Rosemary Groome
- Dora Sevening - Mary's mother
- Ronald Simpson - Mary's father
- Raymond Huntley - Chief Inspector Sullivan
- William Squire - Sergeant Cochran
- Ballard Berkeley - Superintendent Maxey
- Anthony Dawson - The Man
- Denis O'Dea - Sir Charles Morton
- Anthony Bushell - Clive Bedford
- Henry B. Longhurst - Judge
- Patricia Cutts - Rose Mallory
- Meriel Forbes - Marjorie Danns
- Brenda De Banzie - Mrs Rogers
- Douglas Jefferies - Dr. Conway
- Fletcher Lightfoot - Jury Foreman
- Anthony Shaw - Clerk of the Court
- Michael Medwin - Leslie Scott
- Colin Gordon - Pound
- Lionel Murton - Jefferson (US version only)
- Eric Pohlmann - Mr Polaris
- Lilli Molnar - Mrs Polaris
- Frank Tickle - Alfred Tripp
- Tom Macaulay - Ironworks manager
- Richard Littledale - Mr Sims
- Jenny Laird - Mrs Sims
- Tony Quinn - Joe the barman
- Jill Bennett - First murdered girl
Critical reception[]
In The New York Times, Bosley Crowther wrote, "a very tidy murder drama arrived yesterday from England at the Rivoli Theater...An unusually literate and impressively acted film...It is English in setting and temperament, but international in its entertainment appeal. Thoughtful audiences should especially welcome this picture."[2]
When asked to name his "worst picture", Rex Harrison replied: "My worst picture? The Long Dark Hall would have to be near the top of the list."[3]
References[]
- ^ "BFI | Film & TV Database | The LONG DARK HALL (1951)". Ftvdb.bfi.org.uk. 16 April 2009. Archived from the original on 13 January 2009. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
- ^ Crowther, Bosley (10 May 1951). "Movie Review - The Long Dark Hall". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
- ^ Reid, John (6 November 2005). These Movies Won No Hollywood Awards. LuLu Press. p. 101. ISBN 9781411658462. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
External links[]
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- 1951 films
- English-language films
- British films
- 1950s English-language films
- 1950s crime films
- Films directed by Reginald Beck
- Films directed by Anthony Bushell
- Films based on British novels
- British crime films
- British black-and-white films
- Films scored by Benjamin Frankel
- Films set in London
- Films shot at Nettlefold Studios
- 1950s British film stubs
- 1950s crime film stubs