Pink String and Sealing Wax (1945)

A drunken, abusive tavern-keeper's adulterous wife uses the backward son of a rigid, puritanical pharmacist who makes his entire family miserable.

Director:

Robert Hamer

Writers:

Roland Pertwee (play), Diana Morgan (screenplay),

Stars:

Mervyn Johns, Mary Merrall, Gordon Jackson

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mervyn Johns	...	Edward Sutton
Mary Merrall	...	Mrs. Ellen Sutton
Gordon Jackson	...	David Sutton
Jean Ireland	...	Victoria Sutton
Sally Ann Howes	...	Peggy Sutton
Colin Simpson	...	James Sutton
David Walbridge	...	Nicholas Sutton (as David Wallbridge)
Googie Withers	...	Pearl Bond
John Carol	...	Dan Powell
Catherine Lacey	...	Miss Porter
Garry Marsh	...	Joe Bond
Pauline Letts	...	Louise
Maudie Edwards	...	Mrs. Webster
Frederick Piper	...	Dr. Pepper
John Owers	...	Frank

Storyline

In Victorian Brighton a scheming pub landlady befriends an innocent chemist's assistant in order to get hold of poison to do away with her boozy husband.

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Plot Keywords:

poison | brighton | murder | femme fatale | father comforts son | 

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 October 1950 (USA)

Also Known As:

Achtung Gift!

Filming Locations:

Ealing Studios, Ealing, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ealing Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When submitted to the US Production Code Administration in script form in November 1947, it was rejected because it showed details of a crime and ended with a suicide. It was released without receiving a PCA Seal of Approval.

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Soundtracks

"Hush Every Breeze"
(uncredited)
Written by James Hook
Arranged by Ernest Irving

User Reviews

A classical Victorian era pot boiler but lacking sufficient zest.

Excellent acting from the lead players, (especially from Mervyn Johns as the puritanical Victorian pater familias and Googie Withers as the pub landlady and murderess), and a good supporting cast as well mean that this Victorian-era pot boiler set in Brighton could have been something special, given the right direction. Unfortunately, though, it lacks this latter quality and the plot development is disjointed and lacks the necessary twists and thrills to have done the job. What results is a very average, Saturday afternoon matinee thriller, which leaves you thinking of the many ways it could have been improved upon. Perhaps a film studies seminar could use it for this purpose? 6/10.