She Played with Fire (1957)

An insurance investigator runs into an ex-girlfriend, who is still as beautiful as he remembered her, but is now married. He soon finds himself involved in arson, blackmail, and murder.

Director:

Sidney Gilliat

Writers:

Sidney Gilliat (screenplay), Frank Launder (screenplay)

Stars:

Jack Hawkins, Arlene Dahl, Dennis Price

Cast

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
John Robinson	...	Berkeley Reckitt
Michael Goodliffe	...	Sgt. Barnes
Martin Lane	...	Det. Con. Watson
Bernard Miles	...	Mr. Jerome
Christopher Lee	...	Charles Highbury
Greta Gynt	...	Vere Litchen
John Phillips	...	Willis Croft

Storyline

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...

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Plot Keywords:

british noir | based on novel | britain | 1950s | english tudor manor house | 

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Taglines:

Were Her Lips an Invitation to Love...or Murder?

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Opening credits: The characters and incidents portrayed and the names used herein are fictitious, and any similarity to the names, characters or history of any person is entirely accidental and unintentional.

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Goofs

After the second fire, the viewer is told that only one side wing of the house remains. But when it is shown again, most of it - including the main wing - is still there.

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Quotes

Oliver Branwell: There's nothing like an old flame to help the new fire along!

User Reviews

Call this British noir

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!

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 July 1958 (USA)

Also Known As:

She Played with Fire

Filming Locations:

Wiston House, Steyning Road, Steyning, West Sussex, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

John Harvel Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.75 : 1