Home Before Dark (film)

Home Before Dark
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Mervyn LeRoy
Produced by Mervyn LeRoy
Written by Eileen Bassing
Robert Bassing
Based on Home Before Dark
1957 novel
by Eileen Bassing
Starring Jean Simmons
Dan O'Herlihy
Rhonda Fleming
Efrem Zimbalist Jr.
Music by Ray Heindorf
Cinematography Joseph F. Biroc
Edited by Philip W. Anderson
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date
 November 16, 1958
Running time
 136 min
Country United States
Language English
Budget $1.39 million[1]

Home Before Dark is a 1958 Warner Brothers drama film, directed and produced by Mervyn LeRoy, and starring Jean Simmons, Dan O'Herlihy, Rhonda Fleming, and Efrem Zimbalist, Jr..[2] The screenplay was written by Eileen and Robert Bassing, based on the novel by Eileen Bassing. The title song was written by Sammy Cahn with music by Jimmy McHugh.

The film, and Simmons' performance in particular, attracted positive critical comment. Pauline Kael of the New Yorker wrote, "Jean Simmons gives a reserved, beautifully modulated performance",[3] and film critic Philip French believed it contained "perhaps her finest performance".[4]

Story

Charlotte Bronn (Jean Simmons) is a neglected wife who leaves the Maraneck State Hospital mental institution in New England, after a year there, to resume her life in a chilly relationship with her distant and emotionally repressed professor husband, in their plush New England home. They all live together with Charlotte's step-sister Joan (Rhonda Fleming), as well as Joan's mother, the scattered chatterer Inez (Mabel Albertson).[5] They also have a boarder, Dr. Jake Diamond (Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.), who, according to Arnold (Dan O'Herlihy), has been experiencing anti-Semitism at the college where they both teach.

Arnold shuns Charlotte, sleeping on the couch, instead of in their bed, keeping away from her with a multitude of excuses, while chumming around with Joan.[5] Part of Charlotte's commitment to the mental facility hinged on her continuing suspicions of an attraction between her husband and her beautiful step-sister.[5] Inez bosses Charlotte mercilessly while a maid in their kitchen scolds her. [5] Diamond disconcertedly is a calm, pipe smoking, handsome figure who shows Charlotte gentle and knowing sympathy, tempting her into a romantic relationship. [5]

Two acquaintances, Hamilton Gregory (Steve Dunne) and Cathy Bergner (Joanna Barnes), separately imply to her that an affair between Arnold and Joan is a reality. Charlotte walks several miles through the snow to the college to confront her husband. Later, before a dinner with important faculty, she comes dressed and coiffed to resemble Joan, disrupting the dinner and appearing to be headed toward another breakdown.[5] She also learns from Diamond that his chance for promotion at the college was sabotaged by Arnold.

Charlotte agrees to a divorce. Diamond asks her to join him in New York.[5]

Cast

Award Nominations

The movie was nominated for three Golden Globe awards: Jean Simmons for best actress (drama), best picture (drama), and Zimbalist for best supporting actor.

DVD

Home Before Dark was released to DVD by Warner Home Video on July 8, 2011 via its Warner Archive MOD DVD service.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Box Office Information for Home Before Dark. IMDb. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Home Before Dark". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  3. ↑ Kael, 5001 Nights at the Movies
  4. ↑ Screen legends Philip French, The Guardian, 2008
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Crowther 1958.

Sources

  • Crowther, Bosley (November 7, 1958). "Screen: Neglected Wife; 'Home Before Dark' on View at Music Hall". New York Times. New York.
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