THE CLOUDED YELLOW
UK, 1950, 91 minutes, Black and white.
Trevor Howard, Jean Simmons, Barry Jones, Sonia Dresdel, Maxwell Reed, Kenneth More, Andre Morell.
Directed by Ralph Thomas.
The Clouded Yellow is an enjoyable British thriller, a murder mystery, done in the clipped British style. Written by Janet Green, produced by Betty Box and directed by Ralph Thomas, the latter a pair of film-makers who made a number of comedies like the Doctor series as well as historical films (A Tale of Two Cities, 39 Steps) during the '50s. it is a star vehicle for the young Jean Simmons who was soon to go to Hollywood. It is a sturdy vehicle for Trevor Howard as hero. Well-known faces from British films are in support, especially Barry Jones as the seeming kindly man who is unmasked as the murderer. It was at this time that he made Seven Days to Noon.
1. Enjoyable murder mystery? British thriller?
2. Black and white photography, London, the countryside? The chase through the lake district, the cities, the towns? Musical score?
3. The title, the focus on the butterfly - and the symbol of Sophie?
4. David and his return from abroad, the Secret Service, his mistake, his being sacked? Applications for jobs? Tabs being kept on him? Going to the country, relationship with Fenton, meeting Sophie, puzzled by Jess? The encounters with Hick and the buying of the rabbit traps? His work, getting to understand Sophie, her loneliness? Falling in love? The murder, his help, taking her to London, his outwitting the police and the chase? To Newcastle, his contacts, the friendly couple, the animal dealer? Through the mountains, his pretences, on the bus? In Liverpool? The chase? His being caught by Shipley? The happy ending?
5. Sophie, the background of her parents' death, her confusion, loneliness? The audiences blaming Jess? Playing the piano, changing her tea, taking her knife? The importance of the normality with David? The murder, the interrogation, going with him, following his advice, the meeting with the doctor, needing to remember, remembering Jess in the forest? The confrontation Fenton and remembering him? The chase and rescue?
6. Jess and Fenton? The countryside, Fenton and his welcome, nice old eccentric? Jess as being sinister, the piano, her relationship with Hick? Her changing things for Sophie? The phone call, Fenton listening, his coming to Liverpool, the chase?
7. The Secret Service chief, the dismissal of David, his going to him in London? Shipley, admiration, pursuit, shrewdness, taking him in the shop?
8. Hick and his brutality, meeting David, around the farm, with the rapids, with Sophie, with Jess? His death?
9. The gallery of supporting characters, police inspectors, the people in Newcastle, the Chinese?
10. A blend of English murder mystery and adventure chases (like The 39 Steps, Gaslight...)
