Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Jack Hawkins | ... | Oliver Branwell | |
Arlene Dahl | ... | Sarah Moreton | |
Dennis Price | ... | Tracey Moreton | |
Violet Farebrother | ... | Mrs. Moreton | |
Ian Hunter | ... | Clive Fisher | |
Malcolm Keen | ... | Old Abercrombie | |
Geoffrey Keen | ... | Michael Abercrombie | |
Patrick Holt | ... | Fred Connor | |
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John Robinson | ... | Berkeley Reckitt |
Michael Goodliffe | ... | Sgt. Barnes | |
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Martin Lane | ... | Det. Con. Watson |
Bernard Miles | ... | Mr. Jerome | |
Christopher Lee | ... | Charles Highbury | |
Greta Gynt | ... | Vere Litchen | |
John Phillips | ... | Willis Croft |
Oliver Bramwell, an insurance inspector, arrives at Lewis Manor where he is to investigate a fire that broke out there on Christmas Eve. He rings the bell and to his amazement he finds himself face to face with Sarah, the woman he once loved in Hong Kong and who, one day, disappeared from his life without apparent reason. Love resurfaces and when Tracey, the owner of the manor and Sarah's husband, dies in a second fire, the couple is reunited. Nevertheless, Oliver suspects Sarah of having tricked him and murdered Tracey with a view to attaining her ends. Fortunately his suspicions are allayed and he can marry Sarah. They are first very happy, until a blackmailer starts preying on them... Written by Guy Bellinger
Thank God for Turner Classic Movies! You'd never see this in "The States" otherwise.
Hawkins and Dahl (though both obviously older than the ages their roles call for) are great: He as a man caught in an ever-tightening noose by a series of very believable coincidences; She as the old flame who ignites emotions which lead him astray.
Scenes in the manor are well-thought-out and very suspenseful. The lighting even adjusts as the moon slips between the clouds!
The plot will keep you guessing when you think you know the score.
2 quibbles (which clarify themselves after viewing, but give nothing away here and now):
1) USA release is titled "She Played With Fire". They shoulda called it: "HE Played With Fire".
2) It doesn't end the way it begins. You'll see what I mean when you watch.
And, by all means, do!