Separate Tables (1958)

The stories of several people are told as they stay at a seaside hotel in Bournemouth which features dining at "Separate Tables."

Director:

Delbert Mann

Writers:

Terence Rattigan (screenplay), John Gay (screenplay),

Stars:

Deborah Kerr, Rita Hayworth, David Niven

Won 2 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Deborah Kerr	...	Sibyl Railton-Bell
Rita Hayworth	...	Ann Shankland
David Niven	...	Major Angus Pollock
Wendy Hiller	...	Pat Cooper
Burt Lancaster	...	John Malcolm
Gladys Cooper	...	Mrs. Railton-Bell
Cathleen Nesbitt	...	Lady Matheson
Felix Aylmer	...	Mr. Fowler
Rod Taylor	...	Charles
Audrey Dalton	...	Jean
May Hallatt	...	Miss Meacham
Priscilla Morgan	...	Doreen

Storyline

It's the off-season at the lonely Beauregard Hotel in Bournemoth, and only the long-term tenants are still in residence. Life at the Beauregard is stirred up, however, when the beautiful Ann Shankland arrives to see her alcoholic ex-husband, John Malcolm, who is secretly engaged to Pat Cooper, the woman who runs the hotel. Meanwhile, snobbish Mrs Railton-Bell discovers that the kindly if rather doddering Major Pollock is not what he appears to be. The news is particularly shocking for her frail daughter, Sibyl, who is secretly in love with the Major.

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Plot Keywords:

hotel | writer | song during credits | sexual repression | snobbery | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

December 1958 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fra bord til bord

Filming Locations:

Stage 5, The Lot - 1041 N. Formosa Avenue, West Hollywood, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hill-Hecht-Lancaster Productions, Clifton Productions, Norlan Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the time Rita Hayworth was married to the co-producer of the film, James Hill.

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Goofs

When Major Pollock is handed the newspaper in the last scene of the movie, it is folded in half in one shot but folded in fourths in another - the evidence being the picture on the back 'half' being upright. In reality, if in half the picture would be upside down.

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Quotes

Miss Meacham: And what do I know of morals and ethics? Only what I read in novels. And as I only read thrillers, that doesn't amount to much.

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Connections

Version of BBC Play of the Month: Separate Tables (1970)

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Soundtracks

"Separate Tables"
(1958)
Music by Harry Warren
Lyrics by Harold Adamson
Sung by Vic Damone (uncredited)

User Reviews

This is David Niven's movie...

David Niven, who was never given the credit he deserved for his enormous talent, gives the performance of his career in "Separate Tables." Instead of playing the perpetual nice guy, he is a definite shady character. He deceives everyone into believing that he's a reputable person, especially shy Deborah Kerr. But soon, it is revealed that he's not the person he appears to be, with possible disastrous outcomes...

Featuring a fantastic all-star cast, including Burt Lancaster, Rita Hayworth, and Rod Taylor, "Separate Tables" seems to be a forgotten masterpiece. It was nominated for 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actress, and won two...including one for the magnificent David Niven. I highly recommend this movie!