THE MAN IN BLACK
UK, 1950, 74 minutes, Black-and-white.
Betty Ann Davies, Sheila Burrell, Sidney James, Anthony Forwood, Hazel Penwarden, Valentine Dyall.
Directed by Francis Searle.
The Man in Black is the title for the narrator of this film, Valentine Dyall with his very smooth and melodious voice, having a series on radio and introducing thrillers by such authors as John Dickson Carr. The central characters are introduced, the situation set up and the film goes into flashback.
Audiences familiar with some of the old classics, especially the different versions of Gaslight where the victim is to be sent to mad, will recognise the key elements of the plot. Betty Ann Davies is the widow of a wealthy man interested in yoga who collapses during a demonstration of mind control over body. His wife is to inherit a small amount of money as well as does her daughter, but the bulk of the money is to go to the dead man’s daughter, not yet 21. Betty Ann Davies is certainly convincing as the harsh and unscrupulous stepmother, Sheila Burrell is her daughter and Hazel Penwarden is introduced in this film.
The surprise is to see Sid James, build as Sidney James, one of his earliest films, a very serious role and one that audiences are not used to seeing him in. Had he pursued this line, his career might been very different but he was very soon into comedies and by the late 50s the beginning of the Carry On series.
In many senses derivative, but well-performed and interesting while it is on screen.
1. A British thriller? Issues of madness and murder?
2. The title, Valentine Dyall and his radio programs, his identity, the host for the film, introducing all the characters, his mission in buying a souvenir, roaming the house, encountering Joan…?
3. Black-and-white photography, atmosphere, the mansion, the exteriors, the interiors? The musical score?
4. The focus on Henry, his portrait, his daughter, his interest in yoga, his art collection? His death? Going back to the house, Henry, his age, illness, anticipation of death, his demonstrations of yoga, his relationship with Bertha, with Janice, his absent daughter? The special sitting, his going into a physical state of death yet his mind alive? The possibility for interruption? The portrait falling, his collapse, his death?
5. Bertha, marrying Henry, Janice as her daughter, antipathy towards Joan? Her performance at the funeral, weeping, no grief, the cigarette, talking with Janice? The reading of the will, the conditions, Joan’s arrival, youthful, the inheritance, madness and death and everything for Bertha?
6. Hodgson, work in the garden, collaboration with Henry? Surly, not wanting to carry the suitcases, friendship with Joan, treatment by Bertha? Helping Henry, his death?
7. Victor, his visit, relationship with Janice, the plot, his drinking, Hodgson’s death? His collapse, his death, being in the coffin?
8. Bertha, cold and calculating, treatment of Joan, seemingly sympathetic, leading her into madness, strange sounds, the disappearing photograph, her room, the meals, Joan and her timidity? Janice collaborating with this?
9. The changing Joan, the death of Victor, Hodgson? Not calling the police? Joan and her carefree attitude, talking about meeting with Hodgson?
10. Bertha, disturbed, Janice upset, Henry’s reappearance, posing as Hodgson, testing out Bertha and her motivations and action, Bertha suggesting the seance, guiding Joan’s behaviour, saying it was from her father? Bertha and her unmasking?
11. The return to the sale, Joan and the portrait of her father, a happy ending?
