CHARADE

UK, 1953, 81 minutes, Black and white.
James Mason, Pamela Kellino.
Directed by Rory Kellino.

At the opening of Charade, the audience sees James Mason and his wife Pamela, discussing various stories and the possibilities for their becoming films. They are short stories and the decision is made for an omnibus film, in the pattern of previous films from the UK like Trio. The pair go on to enact three stories, coming back to their home each time to discuss each story as well as preparation for the next. The director is Roy Kellino who was formerly married to Pamela.

The budget is a very small so the stories have limited locations, one in Paris, one in military barracks in the 18th and 19th century, the other one in the United States.

The film offers an opportunity for James Mason to do three tour-de-force performances, as a sinister art-lover in Paris, a military man involved in a duel, and a man with as the title suggests, the Midas Touch, becoming wealthy with whatever he becomes involved in.

1. Introduction to James Mason and his wife, Pamela, at home? The relationship between them, conversations, at ease, talking about the short stories, the suitability for their being filmed? The possibilities of roles for each of them?

2. Black-and-white photography, the sequences, the Paris apartment, the military barracks and the field for the duel, the American contemporary offices? Musical score?

3. The Paris story, the artist’s apartment, five years in Paris, yet very British, her voiceover? The dislike of her neighbour, the poor piano playing? Her ill thinking of the pianist? Hearing the visitor, playing the piano better, the silence, her going out into the corridor, the sense of the man, the lift? The sketch? Murder? The interrogation by the police? An arrest? The court case? The arrival of the artist, his friendship with the woman, in, love, looking at her sketches, seeing the portrait of himself? His settling in, the development of the relationship? The discussions about art? The newspapers, his interest, going to the court, the woman saying she was not interested? The evidence against the man? The discussions about giving testimony, the possibility of change, the freeing of the man? The artist and his conversation, her wanting to return to Britain, his talking to her, his madness, strangling her?

4. The military story, Alexandre Dumas, 19th-century, barracks and uniforms, codes of honour, playing cards, offices and gentlemen? The arrival of Paul, his reputation, the wariness of the card players, his former superior and his welcome? Playing cards, his practising shooting every day, the taunts of the officer, the challenge to the duel? The conditions, only one bullet? The arranging of seconds? The doctor, his advice? The fiancee, her love for Paul, the previous relationship with the challenger, the disdain and breaking off?

5. The preparation for the duel, Mason and his sense of honour, the fiancee and her writing the letter to her father, the letter from Paul, the maid to give it to him?

6. The duel, lining up, only one bullet, Paul not having the bullet? His opponent, the challenge, or Paul emphasising his honour? No bullet? The reaction of those present, thinking the challenger was a cad, his admitting that Paul was not a coward? Paul arriving in time to stop his fiancee killing herself?

7. The Midas Touch, the voice-over, the businessman and his having success in every venture, the examples given, working in his office, the visitor and the investment, his picking up the dropped coin?

8. Jonah, seated at his desk, so many phones? His wife, Dottie and his dislike of her, her demands? The challenge from his friend Jack, their hitting each other? His decision to change? Giving everything up, letting the company run itself? Going to England, looking at the different jobs, rubbish in the park? His gambling and always winning? His job in the household, his friendship with Lilly, marrying her? The Master, grumpiness, sewing buttons, playing chess, the master cheering up? the plan to go on the yacht? His detailed attempts to put Lilly off going on the yacht? Her talk about America, film stars, Bob Hope…?

9. The return to his company, even more phone calls, different jobs, Lilly getting the job in the play, her clothes, discussions with Jack, going out to lunch?

10. Leaving Jonah, still absorbed by his work – and successful?