The Fallen Idol (1948)

A butler working in a foreign embassy in London falls under suspicion when his wife accidentally falls to her death, the only witness being an impressionable young boy.

Director:

Carol Reed

Writers:

Graham Greene (story "The Basement Room"), Graham Greene (screenplay)

Stars:

Ralph Richardson, Michèle Morgan, Sonia Dresdel

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 7 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ralph Richardson	...	Baines
Michèle Morgan	...	Julie
Sonia Dresdel	...	Mrs. Baines
Bobby Henrey	...	Phillipe
Denis O'Dea	...	Inspector Crowe
Jack Hawkins	...	Detective Ames
Walter Fitzgerald	...	Dr. Fenton
Dandy Nichols	...	Mrs. Patterson
Joan Young	...	Mrs. Barrow
Karel Stepanek	...	First Secretary
Gerard Heinz	...	Ambassador
Torin Thatcher	...	Policeman
James Hayter	...	Perry
Geoffrey Keen	...	Detective Davis (as Geoffrey Keene)
Bernard Lee	...	Detective Hart

Storyline

Philippe, a diplomat's son and good friend of Baines the butler, is confused by the complexities and evasions of adult life. He tries to keep secrets but ends up telling them. He lies to protect his friends, even though he knows he should tell the truth. He resolves not to listen to adults' stories any more when Baines is suspected of murdering his wife and no-one will listen to Philippe's vital information.

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Plot Keywords:

british noir | fallen idol | euro noir | london england | screenplay adapted by author | 

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Taglines:

The Suspense is Almost Unbearable ... in this Four-Award Thriller !

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English French

Release Date:

25 October 1948 (UK)

Also Known As:

El ídolo caído

Filming Locations:

1 Grosvenor Crescent, Belgravia, London, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$9,030, 12 February 2006, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$57,745, 18 November 2016

Company Credits

Production Co:

London Film Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although Bobby Henrey had no experience at all, Carol Reed was delighted with his screentest and felt that he could work well with him. Bobby was smart, and had a hint of a French accent, which fit very well with the role. He was also an only child, which meant he could get along well in the company of adults. The only problem Reed saw was that the boy had a black nail from using a hammer. Reed told Mrs. Henrey to not let the boy play with hammers, but to also encourage him to keep his accent and, above all, to not grow any bigger until shooting was completed. A governess was appointed to look after Henrey.

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Goofs

When Julie leaves the tea shop and closes the shop door, there is an Open / Closed sign hanging on the glass pane of the door. But when Baines and Phillipe leave the tea shop a minute or so later, the sign is no longer there.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Baines: Good day, sir... In his office there, miss.

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Connections

Featured in A Sense of Carol Reed (2006)

User Reviews

"No, we have to tell lies, and more lies."

Produced only a year or two before THE THIRD MAN, THE FALLEN IDOL is as good a film, and directed by the same man: Sir Carol Reed. Here we are in a claustrophobic world of an Embassy in London. The Ambassador and his wife are too busy to watch their son Phillipe (Bobby Henrey), so the boy is dropped off into the hands of the Embassy's butler Baines (Ralph Richardson). Baines' wife (Sonia Rendell) is a jealous shrew. She has reason to be jealous - Baines is having an affair with a younger woman named Julie (Michelle Morgan). Phillipe likes Baines, whom he idolizes as a strong father figure in the absence of his real father. He also likes Julie, and he dislikes Mrs. Baines. There is reason for that - in her moments of anger and jealousy she does act harshly and nastily towards Phillipe.

In pursuit of proof of her husband's infidelities, Mrs. Baines goes to incredible lengths. She even stands on a dangerous ledge to watch them. But a gust of wind causes the lower part of the window to knock her legs out from underneath her, causing her to fall two stories to her death. Enter the police (Jack Hawkins, Geoffrey Keen, Bernard Lee), who are wondering how Mrs. Baines died so violently. Baines and Julie panic, and begin trying to put together a coherent story of an accident (although they know nothing about what actually happened). They have no choice but to involve Phillipe, but this is unfortunate because the little fellow knows little about creative, consistent lying. So details of Baines' relationship with Julie come out, and the police begin to wonder that this is not an accident but murder.

The film is a gem because much of it is shot from the perspective of the boy. He has admired Baines as a honorable father figure, but he is increasingly worried for Baines and Julie and he is increasingly confused when, far from being advocates of honesty, they suggest he lie to assist them. The film does end with a degree of disillusionment for the little fellow, rather unusual for such films in general. But the disillusionment is a key to Greene's view of the world (Holly Martin's of his pal Harry Lime in THE THIRD MAN for instance, or Van Johnson's views of God and Deborah Kerr in the original THE END OF THE AFFAIR). It is a remarkably good film, and well worth watching.