The Upturned Glass (1947)

A British brain surgeon punishes the murderess of his lover.

Director:

Lawrence Huntington

Writers:

John Monaghan (from the original story by) (as Jno P. Monaghan), John Monaghan (screenplay) (as Jno. P. Monaghan)

Stars:

James Mason, Rosamund John, Pamela Mason

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Mason	...	Michael Joyce
Rosamund John	...	Emma Wright
Pamela Mason	...	Kate Howard (as Pamela Kellino)
Ann Stephens	...	Ann Wright
Morland Graham	...	Clay
Brefni O'Rorke	...	Dr. Farrell
Henry Oscar	...	Coroner
Jane Hylton	...	Miss Marsh
Sheila Huntington	...	1st Girl Student
Susan Shaw	...	2nd Girl Student
Peter Cotes	...	Male Student
Nuna Davey	...	Mrs. Jenny Deva
Judith Carol	...	Joan Scott-Trotter
John Monaghan	...	U.S. Driver (as Jno. P. Monaghan)
Maurice Denham	...	Mobile Policeman

Storyline

A prominent neurosurgeon relates to his students in medical school a story about an affair he had with a married woman and how, after the affair was over, the woman one day fell out a window and died. The surgeon, suspecting that she was murdered, set out to find her killer--but, instead of turning the suspect over to the police, he planned to take his own revenge on the murderer.

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Plot Keywords:

window | revenge | british noir | punishment | piano | 

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Taglines:

A Powerful NEW Drama of a Mad Love!

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Goofs

The waiter hands Kate Howard the menu, then immediately hands it to her again.

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Quotes

Dr. Farrell: The vessel which we normal people use for imbibing experience is a stout austerity model, which doesn't crack. With others, like yourself, the glass, though of superior design, cracks quite easily. Now, instead of leaving it upturned on the shelf, a danger to all, it should be thrown away.

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Connections

Featured in James Mason: The Star They Loved to Hate (1984)

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Soundtracks

Madame, Will You Walk?
(uncredited)
Traditional

User Reviews

"Today I Sat In Judgement"

James Mason in one of his last British films before accepting that contract with MGM and leaving for America plays a doctor who may have become too detached from life. A prominent brain surgeon he accepts the case of young Ann Stephens whose eyesight he saves with a delicate operation. In the process he falls in love with Ann's mother Rosamund John.

Both Mason and John are separated from their respective spouses and we never meet either of them in The Upturned Glass. But their relationship contains a mixture of guilt for both of them. Shortly after they end things, Mason hears that John falls to her death in her own home.

Mason had already met Pamela Kellino and formed a bad opinion of her almost immediately. She's Rosamund's sister-in-law and Stephen's aunt and she's a selfish materialistic woman, a regular Cruela DeVille in real life. She's easy too hate and Mason courts her to get close.

The film is told about 2/3 of the way in flashback as Mason lectures to a university class on the atypical murderer, the sane and logical one which he naturally takes himself to be. The rest of the film is a revealing portrayal of how Mason should be seen.

The Upturned Glass is a nice bit of melodramatic noir with Mason really carrying this film. His perfect performance makes The Upturned Glass seem far better than it really is.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 August 1947 (UK)

Also Known As:

The Upturned Glass

Filming Locations:

Beachey Head, Sussex, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sydney Box Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min 83 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1