The Man in Black (film) explained

The Man in Black
Director:Francis Searle
Producer:Anthony Hinds
Starring:Betty Ann Davies
Sheila Burrell
Sid James
Anthony Forwood
Valentine Dyall
Music:Rupert Grayson
Frank Spencer
Cinematography:Cedric Williams
Editing:John Ferris
Ray Pitt
Studio:Hammer Film Productions
Distributor:Exclusive Films
Runtime: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

After the death of her yogi father during a freak "yoga accident," (brought about by his second wife), Joan Clavering returns home to her widowed step-mother Bertha. Clavering has left a good sum of money to Bertha, but the vast bulk of his fortune to Joan - unless, that is, Joan is incapacitated in some way. Bertha conspires with her daughter Janice to drive Joan insane and deprive her of her rightful inheritance.[4] [5] [6]

Cast

Critical reception

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]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Man in Black.
  2. Web site: Man in Black, The (1949) - Overview - TCM.com. Turner Classic Movies.
  3. Web site: MAN IN BLACK, THE (1949) . Otrdvd.co . 2014-03-12.
  4. Web site: The Man in Black | BFI | BFI . https://web.archive.org/web/20120713174555/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6afc194a . dead . 2012-07-13 . Explore.bfi.org.uk . 2014-03-12.
  5. Web site: Fantastic Movie Musings & Ramblings - MAN IN BLACK (1949) . Scifilm.org . 2014-03-12.
  6. Web site: The Man in Black (1950) - Trailers, Reviews, Synopsis, Showtimes and Cast - AllMovie. AllMovie.
  7. Web site: The Man In Black Review. Movies.tvguide.com. 2014-03-12.