THE GIRL IN THE NEWS

UK, 1940, 78 minutes, Black-and-white.
Margaret Lockwood, Barry K.Barnes, Emlyn Williams, Roger Livesy, Margaretta Scott, Wyndham Goldie, Basil Radford, Irene Handl, Mervyn Johns, Kathleen Harrison, Felix Aylmer, Roland Culver, Leo Genn, Michael Hordern, Edward Rigby.
Directed by Carol Reed.

This is rather a small film from Carol Reed who began directing in 1935, and his making significant films like The Stars Look Down as well as Kipps. This is a star vehicle for Margaret Lockwood who was to emerge as one of the main British stars of the early 1940s. The film has a very strong supporting cast, well-known character actors in almost cameo roles. Which makes the film more enjoyable.

Margaret Lockwood is a nurse who is accused of murder of her charge, Irene Handl. The evidence seems to be against her in terms of a bequest, the drugs, opportunity. However, she is acquitted because of the work of her defence counsel, Stephen, Barry K. Barnes. However, he is rather detached and ambitious, manifesting some suspicion about her even when she comes to thank him after the case. She tries to get a job, is turned down, but an invitation comes in the post for work in the country and she accepts.

Her new charge is an elderly man, confined to a wheelchair. His younger wife, Julia, Margaretta Scott, is the lady of the house. There are several maids, including Kathleen Harrison. And there is the butler, Tracy, played by actor-playwright Emlyn Williams, whom the audience has seen having a shave and then going to sit in the court.

When the man in the wheelchair dies, suggestion of suicide, it emerges that it is murder and that the scenario parallels that of the initial case against Anne. Since the audience has seen the butler at the trial, it is clear that he has set up the situation, especially in his relationship with the wife.

By chance, 26 has met Stephen again and goes to the theatre with him. In the meantime, his police room-mate, Bill, Roger Livesy, gives him the news of the murder and the accusations. Stephen moves quickly, hides 26 from Bill, goes down in a caravan to the countryside near that estate, infiltrates to get some information.

There is a second trial, Felix Aylmer prosecuting, but Stephen interrogates the witnesses very severely, including Julia and then Tracy, having checked with the barber across the street who, unfortunately, has become blind. Nevertheless, Tracy is implicated, Julia kills herself in the court, Anne is acquitted.

Screenplay is by veteran Sidney Gilliat.

1. An early film of Carol Reed? The 1939 setting? The atmosphere of war?

2. The settings, home interiors, streets and shops, the courts? The musical score?

3. The opening, Anne, her dealings with the elderly patient, her tantrums, persuading Anne to stay, the issue of the tablets, the bequest, the patient getting out of bed, collapse and death?

4. Anne in court, innocent, quiet, the evidence against her, Stephen and his defence, businesslike rather than personal? Her being acquitted? Visiting his office, her perceiving he was still hesitant about her guilt? His embarrassment?

5. Tracy, the shave, the nick, going into the court, his being at the house, the revelation of his relationship with the wife? Audiences realising that he had masterminded the new set up? For Anne to be guilty?

6. Anne and her fruitless search for a job, innocent, even at her respectable hospital? The paper in the post, the advertisement, her application, accepted? Her work, her employer in the chair, the touch of cynicism, friendly towards her? The invalid’s wife, haughty, younger than her husband? Tracy and his presence in the house, the relationship?

7. Anne and her work, comfortable, her friendship with the maids, the old cook and conversations, the younger maid, lipstick? The younger maid turning against her and giving evidence against her?

8. The setup, the murder of the husband, the suggestion of suicide with the key, the wheelchair unable to get through the door? The accusation of murder?

9. The strong supporting cast, the doctor and his analysis, evidence in court? The chief inspector and the testing of the wheelchair wheels?

10. Stephen, seeing Anne in the car, her avoiding him, the conversation, benign, the invitation to the play? At home, Bill as his friend, the policeman, going to the play? 26 going up to London, enjoying the play, the car to meet her on return? Stephen going out, finding Bill in the foyer, the information about the murder? Stephen and his decision, telling Anne, taking her to his apartment, concealing her from Bill? Taking the caravan, going to the country? Stephen getting into the house, the encounter with the maid, asking for the water? Bill and his finding them?

11. A further court case, the judge and his attitude, prosecutors, interrogating witnesses, Stephen and the defence, his aggressive attitude? Especially towards Julia? The issue of Tracy, finding him and the photo, the barber and his having gone blind, bringing him to the court? Interrogating Tracy? Julia upset, her taking the poison, the collapse, her confession?

12. Anne and Stephen and a future? Tracy and his arrest?