Guest in the House (1944)

Director:

John Brahm

Writers:

Ketti Frings (screenplay), Hagar Wilde (play),

Stars:

Anne Baxter, Ralph Bellamy, Aline MacMahon

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Anne Baxter	...	Evelyn Heath
Ralph Bellamy	...	Douglas Proctor
Aline MacMahon	...	Aunt Martha
Ruth Warrick	...	Ann Proctor
Scott McKay	...	Doctor Dan Proctor
Marie McDonald	...	Miriam
Jerome Cowan	...	Mr. Hackett
Margaret Hamilton	...	Hilda, the Maid
Percy Kilbride	...	John, the Butler
Connie Laird	...	Lee Proctor

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

listening at door | deception | country house | artist's studio | guilty conscience | 

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Taglines:

No girl has ever been called more names! That's Evelyn...the guest...who manages to throw her pretty shadow around where any man near must see it - and when it comes to a man she grants no rights to anyone but herself!

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Genres:

Drama | Film-Noir

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 December 1944 (USA)

Also Known As:

Satan in Skirts

Filming Locations:

Providencia Ranch, Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hunt Stromberg Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min 100 min (video)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Lewis Milestone started the film, but after extensive rehearsals and preparation he fell ill and was replaced by John Brahm, who reshot some of the early scenes.

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Goofs

When young Lee enters the house after playing with the boy on the swing, her face and dress are clean. However when she enters her mother's room, she has chocolate smudged on her face and dress.

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Connections

Version of ITV Television Playhouse: Guest in the House (1957)

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Soundtracks

"Molly Malone"
(uncredited)
Traditional
Sung by Marie McDonald

User Reviews

Taut Psychological Drama Transferred to Screen

This is pretty much a photographed stage play but the cast is a top notch one and its two hour playing time goes by quickly. Anne Baxter plays a psychologically disturbed woman taken by her fiance to his family's ocean home for recuperation after a breakdown. Almost as if she were doing a rehearsal for her Eve Harrington in ALL ABOUT EVE, she manages to connive, manipulate and almost destroy the family. Sure, they're dumb - anyone could figure out she's nuts after the first reel, but hey, this is Hollywood. The cinematography is first rate and so is the supporting performance of Ruth Warrick as the trusting wife of Baxter's prey. Absorbing and fun - earning an Oscar nom for Original Score - an odd one.