The Man in Black (film)

The Man in Black
handbill poster
Directed by Francis Searle
Produced by Anthony Hinds
Written by John Gilling
from a story by Francis Searle
from the radio series by John Dickson Carr
Starring Betty Ann Davies
Sheila Burrell
Sid James
Anthony Forwood
Valentine Dyall
Music by Rupert Grayson
Frank Spencer
Cinematography Cedric Williams
Edited by John Ferris
Ray Pitt
Production
company
Distributed by Exclusive Films (UK)
Release date
  • January 1950 (1950-01)
Running time
 80 minutes
Country United Kingdom
Language English

The Man in Black is a 1949 British thriller film directed by Francis Searle and starring Betty Ann Davies, Sheila Burrell and Sid James.[1] It was adapted by Hammer Film Productions from the popular British radio series Appointment with Fear featuring Valentine Dyall.[2] Dyall (The "Man in Black" of the radio series) here provides the on screen introduction to the film, as "The Story-Teller".[3]

Plot

After the death of her yogi father during a freak "yoga accident", Joan Clavering returns home to her widowed and suddenly very wealthy step-mother Bertha. The latter conspires with her daughter Janice to drive Joan insane and deprive her of her rightful inheritance.[4][5][6]

Critical reception

TV Guide wrote, "The story is drivel, with some unintentionally campy plot developments. It was adapted from a British radio series, perhaps proving that some dramas are better heard than seen."[7]

Fantastic Movie Musings and Ramblings wrote, "One of Hammer's earlier forays into horror. This one is highly recommended."[5]

Leonard Maltin called it a "clever little thriller with some surprises and a rare noncomic role for James."[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Man in Black".
  2. 1 2 "Man in Black, The (1949) - Overview - TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies.
  3. ↑ "MAN IN BLACK, THE (1949)". Otrdvd.co. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
  4. ↑ "The Man in Black | BFI | BFI". Explore.bfi.org.uk. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
  5. 1 2 "Fantastic Movie Musings & Ramblings - MAN IN BLACK (1949)". Scifilm.org. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
  6. ↑ "The Man in Black (1950) - Trailers, Reviews, Synopsis, Showtimes and Cast - AllMovie". AllMovie.
  7. ↑ "The Man In Black Review". Movies.tvguide.com. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
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