The Long Dark Hall (1951)

A devoted family man tries to help a beautiful alcoholic showgirl with her life, and becomes the the only suspect when someone else murders her.

Directors:

Reginald Beck, Anthony Bushell

Writers:

W.E. Fairchild (additional scenes and dialogue), Nunnally Johnson,

Stars:

Rex Harrison, Lilli Palmer, Tania Heald

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rex Harrison	...	Arthur Groome
Lilli Palmer	...	Mary Groome
Tania Heald	...	Sheila Groome
Henrietta Barry	...	Rosemary Groome
Dora Sevening	...	Mary's mother
Ronald Simpson	...	Mary's father
Raymond Huntley	...	Chief Insp. Sullivan
William Squire	...	Sgt. Cochran (as William Squires)
Ballard Berkeley	...	Police Supt. Maxey
Anthony Dawson	...	The Man
Denis O'Dea	...	Sir Charles Morton
Anthony Bushell	...	Clive Bedford
Henry B. Longhurst	...	Judge (as Henry Longhurst)
Patricia Cutts	...	Rose Mallory (as Patricia Wayne)
Meriel Forbes	...	Marjorie Danns

Storyline

Arthur Groome works in London and has a devoted family in Richmond. Shortly after he starts seeing a showgirl she is found murdered and the circumstantial evidence points to the innocent if naive Groome.

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Plot Keywords:

wife and husband lead actors | serial killer | based on novel

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Taglines:

Two great Broadway stars at their greatest!

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 March 1952 (Mexico)

Also Known As:

Amante e infiel

Filming Locations:

Nettlefold Studios, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cusick International Films Inc., Five Ocean Films Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

First film of William Squire.

User Reviews

Groomed for Murder

Solid if not impressive light thriller about a man infatuated with a young actress whilst still married soon to be entombed in a vault of lies when the young girl turns up dead and murdered - not by his hand or so he says? Rex Harrison gives a subtly good performance as Arthur Groome - the man who loves his wife and children yet also "loves" the young murdered actress. The film chronicles how the pieces of that puzzle unravel and whether or not Groome or someone else is the actual murderer. As a mystery film The Long Dark Hall is effective and entertaining for the most part. Harrison is as ever affable and Lili Palmer, his real-life wife, plays his wife here. All of the British cast do workmanlike jobs with Anthony Dawson particularly being effective. Patricia Cutts plays a very lovely girl in her turn as the victim. I would agree that the ending is somewhat unsatisfying and predictable but not wholly bleak. Directors Anthony Bushell and editor Reginald Beck(also getting his one time directorial credit for this film)create some very nice work - particularly those shots of the long, dark hall. This film is not a big budget affair in any way but still makes for a relaxing, enjoyable time.