ENCORE

UK, 1952, 89 minutes, Black and White.
Introduced by W. Somerset Maugham.
The Ant and the Grasshopper: Nigel Patrick, Roland Culver.
Directed by Pat Jackson.
Winter Cruise: Kay Walsh.
Directed by Anthony Pelissier.
Gigolo and Gigolette: Glynnis Johns, Terence Morgan.
Directed by Harold French.

Encore is the third in a series of filmed short stories by W. Somerset Maugham. Begun in 1949 with the stories in Quartet and directed by a number of British directors, the film was so popular that a sequel with three stories called Trio was made in 1950 along the same pattern. This is the third and indeed the slightest of the group. once again the stories are particularly British and reflect the atmosphere of the times. Maugham. shows something of his personality in his attempts at humour in his introduction. Nigel Patrick is his usual self in the first story. Kay Walsh gives a very good performance in Winter Cruise and Glynnis Johns is at her most vulnerable in the third story. This is the type of story made into television drama in the 70s and 80s.

The Ant and the Grasshopper:

The basic situation, British business and families and respectability? The two brothers - the one older and respectable trying to carry on his business, the other younger, irresponsible and charming? John Ramsay and his attitude towards business, his colleagues, his reaction to Tom's turning up in the strange places? His being persuaded to give money for Tom's support? His reaction to his brother's intended marriage? His selling his house and the irony of Tom buying it? The contrast with Tom and his offhand manner, charming personality, lack of ability to work? His putting his mind to ways of getting money? His tactics with his brother, perseverance, turning up in the strange places for work and the potential for humiliating his brother? Getting his colleague to blackmail his brother? The sequence at the Riviera, his approach to the heiress and direct talking about her money, his engagement? A brief portrait of a successful aristocratic con-man? The point of the story? The symbolism of the title?

Winter Cruise:

The basic premise of the story about spinsters going on cruises? The tradition of winter =1ses for the British? The crew of the ship and their various personalities, attitude towards the passengers? The introduction of Miss Reid -Maugham's comment about boring personalities and yet their kindness? Miss Reid as a person, appearance, work? Her presence on the ship and her indefatigability? Her indomitable spirit? Incessant talk, the reaction of the crew and passengers? Her not being put off by bad weather? The strategies of the crew and the doctor's advice? The French steward and the comments on presuppositions about French and British being romantic? Miss Reid's seeming to fall for the attention? Her correcting the Frenchman's English and yet her infatuation? Peace on the ship? The Christmas gifts and the captain and the crew feeling guilty? Her revelation that she understood what the strategy was and her gratitude for it? Her farewell to the steward and the knowing look about their communication and romance? Her comments to her friend? The point made?

Gigolo and Gigolette:

The significance of the title? Maugham's comments about the show business world, audiences and their love of danger and risks? The morbid anticipation of disaster? The introduction to Stella and Sid - their British background, Stella's success, her ability to achieve stardom while she could? Her act and its danger and daring? Sid and his introduction? The fashionable Riviera audience and their comments, a critique of society and their attitudes? AS a morbid audience? The manager and his money considerations? The bond between Stella and Sid? Sid seeming an opportunist, pressurizing Stella, his reaction to the old couple and their comments, to the new contract, to pressurizing Stella. the argument, his reaction to her gambling the money? His genuine love - was it a surprise? His going towards her and the significance of the gesture? Stella and her fears, her need to be told she was loved and not just the source of income? Her desperation, the gambling of the money? The importance of the old couple and their memories and chatter - the morbid aspects of stardom, the passing of public opinion, accidents and death? Their influence on the final night? The reconciliation and the happy ending? The point of the story in human terms. human love, success and reputation? The critique of the audience?

The impact of these stories in themselves, in connection with each other? As cinematic versions of Somerset Maugham's world.. understanding of characters, observation of life? Cinematic techniques and British styles of the 40s and 50s?