Footsteps in the Fog (1955)

In early 1900s England, a maid tries to blackmail her master into romancing her when she discovers he murdered his wife.

Director:

Arthur Lubin

Writers:

Dorothy Davenport (screenplay) (as Dorothy Reid), Lenore J. Coffee (screenplay) (as Lenore Coffee)

Stars:

Stewart Granger, Jean Simmons, Bill Travers

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Stewart Granger	...	Stephen Lowry
Jean Simmons	...	Lily Watkins
Bill Travers	...	David Macdonald
Belinda Lee	...	Elizabeth Travers
Ronald Squire	...	Alfred Travers
Finlay Currie	...	Inspector Peters
William Hartnell	...	Herbert Moresby
Frederick Leister	...	Dr. Simpson
Percy Marmont	...	Magistrate
Marjorie Rhodes	...	Mrs. Park (as Margery Rhodes)
Peter Bull	...	Brasher
Barry Keegan	...	Constable Burke
Sheila Manahan	...	Rose Moresby
Norman MacOwan	...	Grimes (as Norman Macowan)
Cameron Hall	...	Corcoran

Storyline

To his Victorian London friends, Stephen Lowry is a heartbroken widower. Only his housemaid Lily knows that far from dying of gastroenteritis his wife was slowly poisoned by her husband - information she is happy to use to improve her position in the household and to make sure she stays close to Stephen. As his own prospects improve with a business partnership and a romance more of his own class, Stephen decides that Lily must go. Unfortunately for him, his first attempt gives her even more of a hold over him.

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Plot Keywords:

british noir | death by poison | accidental suicide | murder disguised as natural death | testifying under oath | 

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Taglines:

Never forget...when a man is close enough to KISS YOU...he is close enough to KILL YOU!

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Opening credits: All characters portrayed in this film are purely fictional and any resemblance to any actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

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Goofs

Marjorie Rhodes' character is referred to as Mrs Parks in dialogue, but Mrs Park in the closing credits.

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Quotes

Lily Watkins: I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have you to look after...

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Soundtracks

Westminster Quarters
(uncredited)
Traditional

User Reviews

Footsteps into legend.

Forget the alliterative title that was meant at the time for American markets. A story by W. W. Jacobs provides one of the unsung triumphs of moviemaking. To call this a 'British' movie is a misnomer. Yes, it was made in Britain. But with American money and direction- Arthur Lubin. This is important, because a studio-made movie, set in Victorian England, to look convincing for Cinemascope photography takes big dollars. Thankfully, advantageous 1950's American-British exchange rates and tax breaks meant moviegoers were the ultimate winners. From the evocative photography, hauntingly memorable Benjamin Frankel score to the starring of the then 'hot' husband-and-wife team Stewart Granger [ruthless Stephen Lowry] and Jean Simmons [the ambitious above-her-station maid Lily Watkins], there's everything right about this movie. The sexual tension between the two is tangible throughout. The plot is Victorian murder, portrayed with period ambience by a distinguished British cast. Like all great movies the plot, though watertight, is not important. The movie is. Its stentorian elegance dwarfs its audience. They just know that this one was, and still is, a biggie. If you haven't seen it yet- lucky you!

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 August 1955 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Footsteps in the Fog

Filming Locations:

Chalvey Park, Slough, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Frankovich Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Colour by) (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.75 : 1