THE MAN WHO LOVED REDHEADS

UK, 1954, 95 minutes, Colour.
Moira Shearer, John Justin, Roland Culver, Denholm Elliott, Gladys Cooper, Harry Andrews. Narrated by Kenneth More.
Directed by Harold French.

The Man Who Loved Redheads is based on his play, Who Is Sylvia, by playwright Terrence Rattigan. Harold French had directed a number of Rattigan plays for the screen including French Without Tears. He also directed the short story ensembles Trio, Quartet, Encore by W. Somerset Maugham.

The film stars ballerina Moira Shearer, who came to fame with The Red Shoes, as the composite of redheaded women with whom hero, John Justin, is infatuated. We see him from the early part of the 20th century to the 50s, finding the redheaded women every couple of years - and they are all played, with interesting variations, by Moira Shearer. (She also has the opportunity to dance some contemporary dances, the Charleston and selections from Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty.) John Justin, who tended to appear in character roles (The Sound Barrier) has a chance for a starring role. There is good support from Denholm Elliott has his son, Gladys Cooper as his wife, Roland Culver as his best friend, Harry Andrews as the omniscient and omnipotent servant. Jeremy Spencer appears as the young hero.

Rattigan was famous for his drawing-room comedies, and this is a typical example, written in a very civilised way, underplayed, using suggestion rather than blatant and straightforward dialogue. A film of its period.

1. An entertaining civilised comedy? From the 50s? A perspective on the first half of the 20th century? Manners and morals?

2. The colour photography, London over fifty years? Décor and costumes? The musical score, the range of songs, dances, ballet?

3. The title, Radian’s original title, Who is Sylvia? The mystery about Sylvia, her being embodied in so many women? The irony of the real Sylvia appearing at the end and Mark not recognising her? Terrence Radian’s plays, drawing-room comedies with civilisation and elegance?

4. The narration by Kenneth More, information, his relationship with the audience, the questions, the friendly remarks? The comments on the behaviour of the characters? The effect of this device - welcoming the audience into the film?

5. The prologue, Mark, his age, infatuation with Sylvia, hiding, declaration of love - forever and for eternity? The basis for his obsession with redheads? Always trying to find Sylvia? And missing her at the end?

6. Mark grown up, his work for the Foreign Office? The World War One period? His marriage to Carolyn? His son Dennis? Sylvia marrying someone else? The laying the foundation for his obsession and living it out?

7. His friendship with Oscar? His using his house, asking him to follow up with the deception? Oscar in himself, relationship with Ethel, other women? Over the decades? His final promotion? Williams as his servant, Williams and his discretion, being able to accommodate every situation, the first situation with Daphne, the party with Olga?

8. The women who resembled Sylvia: Daphne, the bus stop, the invitation to dinner, going to the house, her mother and grandmother, her brother and the five shillings? Oscar's arrival, their going dancing? The other women over the decades? The suggestions of their presence? Mark and his growing older, his pseudonym, being a poet, the Secret Service? Finally coming to Olga, the ballet, the party? His son coming, the revelation of the truth, his dilemmas, decisions?

9. The aged Mark, friendship with Oscar, their going to the theatre, picking up Collette and her friend? The phone call from Carolyn (and the devices in the past to cover his tracks)? The theatre, the girls arriving, their being friends with Carolyn? Her revelation that she knew the truth from the beginning, her light-hearted attitude towards everything, her love for her husband? His being exasperated, amazed?

10. Collette, her friend, their continued chatter, ignoring the older men? Going to the theatre, friendship with Carolyn? Admiration for Dennis?

11. Dennis, as a boy, Zeppelins, his father, as an actor, his successes? Knowing the truth about his father? His stage name?

12. A light concoction, a picture of love, infatuation, obsession, infidelity and fidelity?