Feeling as if it was based on a novel, but apparently not. Proudly declaring itself 'A Peak Production' in the opening credits, Madeleine Carroll's only postwar British film is at it's most eloquent outdoors when it's magnificent photography of the Swiss Alps recalls the German mountain films of the twenties, with husband Michael Rennie acting as if he too was hewn from granite. But whenever the characters move indoors and open their mouths it founders, was a resounding box office flop and Carroll soon afterwards quit movies for good.
5 Reviews
A promising plot negated by dull writing and direction.
JohnHowardReid10 June 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Associate producer: A.E. Hardman. Producer: Ivor McLaren. A Peak Film Production, made at London Studios, Isleworth. Copyright 19 November 1948 by Coronet Productions, Inc. Presented by Charles Buddy Rogers and Ralph Cohn. U.S. release through United Artists: 19 November 1948. No recorded New York opening. U.K. release through British Lion: March 1947. Australian release through 20th Century-Fox: 9 September 1948. 7,548 feet. 83 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: The plight of a war orphan in the Swiss Alps and the difficulties of his benefactress in effecting his adoption. - Copyright entry.
NOTES: Number 50 at British ticket-windows for 1947.
COMMENT: Despite extensive location filming, and its promising title, "White Cradle Inn" emerges as a rather mediocre picture. Aimed firmly at the women's market, the plot is carried forward in dull dialogue scenes.
True, all the players try ably to render realistic characterizations, but they can make little impression with the one-dimensional cardboard cut-outs the script hands them. Harold French's dull, routine direction also offers no help. Only the climactic scene itself makes any impact - despite its unconvincing resolution.
SYNOPSIS: The plight of a war orphan in the Swiss Alps and the difficulties of his benefactress in effecting his adoption. - Copyright entry.
NOTES: Number 50 at British ticket-windows for 1947.
COMMENT: Despite extensive location filming, and its promising title, "White Cradle Inn" emerges as a rather mediocre picture. Aimed firmly at the women's market, the plot is carried forward in dull dialogue scenes.
True, all the players try ably to render realistic characterizations, but they can make little impression with the one-dimensional cardboard cut-outs the script hands them. Harold French's dull, routine direction also offers no help. Only the climactic scene itself makes any impact - despite its unconvincing resolution.
Nice Scenery & Setting; Fair Story
Snow Leopard6 August 2001
This movie has a nicely done setting in Switzerland that makes up to some degree for a slow and rather drab plot. It also benefits from some pretty good leading players in Madeleine Carroll and Ian Hunter.
The story takes place in a Swiss town where quite a few French children have found refuge during the war. An innkeeper couple (Carroll and Michael Rennie) disagree with each other about whether to adopt the orphaned French boy who has been staying with them, and they spend much of the film in a battle of wills. Hunter is a well-meaning doctor trying to prevent any unpleasantness.
The Swiss setting is nicely done with good photography, and the little town, the inn, and the mountains work well. The story itself is believable, but just not very eventful except for a couple of good dramatic moments. Overall it is an average film, mostly worthwhile for the scenery and setting.
The story takes place in a Swiss town where quite a few French children have found refuge during the war. An innkeeper couple (Carroll and Michael Rennie) disagree with each other about whether to adopt the orphaned French boy who has been staying with them, and they spend much of the film in a battle of wills. Hunter is a well-meaning doctor trying to prevent any unpleasantness.
The Swiss setting is nicely done with good photography, and the little town, the inn, and the mountains work well. The story itself is believable, but just not very eventful except for a couple of good dramatic moments. Overall it is an average film, mostly worthwhile for the scenery and setting.
High Fury
Prismark108 May 2017
Warning: Spoilers
White Cradle Inn is a very strange picture. It does not have much of a plot.
A village in the Swiss Alps provides homes for displaced French children during the war. Magda has grown very attached with Roger, a poorly boy who has nothing to go back to France for but an orphanage.
However Magda's husband Rudolph who basically seems to sponge off her as she actually owns the inn while he messes about with women, dislikes the boy immensely. When Magda wants to adopt him, he knows the price she has to pay for his written consent.
I thought when Rudolph takes the boy out for a climb, he would end up killing him but the story works out differently. I am not sure I actually by the ending as Rudolph has no redeeming features.
Madeleine Carroll looks lovely, Michael Rennie unusually for him plays a vile character, but not sure why he was suddenly so nice at the end.
A village in the Swiss Alps provides homes for displaced French children during the war. Magda has grown very attached with Roger, a poorly boy who has nothing to go back to France for but an orphanage.
However Magda's husband Rudolph who basically seems to sponge off her as she actually owns the inn while he messes about with women, dislikes the boy immensely. When Magda wants to adopt him, he knows the price she has to pay for his written consent.
I thought when Rudolph takes the boy out for a climb, he would end up killing him but the story works out differently. I am not sure I actually by the ending as Rudolph has no redeeming features.
Madeleine Carroll looks lovely, Michael Rennie unusually for him plays a vile character, but not sure why he was suddenly so nice at the end.
Late Madeleine Carroll- almost good.
d-druce26 October 2016
There are some great camera-angles with some very abrupt, bizarre editing between simultaneous scenes.
Rennie's character is vile, but it is a treat to see Madeleine Carroll (in the usual persona) in one of her last roles. She gets a few really worthwhile scenes, and the director hovers on some good lip-trembling close-ups. It is a good performance and it was only to be wished that the director, with his splendid lighting director and quirky editor might not have produced something better paced. The climax is so risible that it must be seen.
And I did enjoy the many caricature supporting characters.
It comes up on TV sometimes. Worth a look if you like soap opera with amusing attempts at pseudo-psychology and use of odd camera-angles, and all in the Swiss Alps.
Rennie's character is vile, but it is a treat to see Madeleine Carroll (in the usual persona) in one of her last roles. She gets a few really worthwhile scenes, and the director hovers on some good lip-trembling close-ups. It is a good performance and it was only to be wished that the director, with his splendid lighting director and quirky editor might not have produced something better paced. The climax is so risible that it must be seen.
And I did enjoy the many caricature supporting characters.
It comes up on TV sometimes. Worth a look if you like soap opera with amusing attempts at pseudo-psychology and use of odd camera-angles, and all in the Swiss Alps.
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