Separate Tables (1958)

The stories of several people are told as they stay at a seaside hotel in Bournemouth which features dining at "Separate Tables."

Director:

Delbert Mann

Writers:

Terence Rattigan (screenplay), John Gay (screenplay)

Stars:

Rita Hayworth, Deborah Kerr, David Niven

Won 2 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 15 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Deborah Kerr	...	Sibyl Railton-Bell
Rita Hayworth	...	Ann Shankland
David Niven	...	Major Angus Pollock
Wendy Hiller	...	Pat Cooper
Burt Lancaster	...	John Malcolm
Gladys Cooper	...	Mrs. Railton-Bell
Cathleen Nesbitt	...	Lady Matheson
Felix Aylmer	...	Mr. Fowler
Rod Taylor	...	Charles
Audrey Dalton	...	Jean
May Hallatt	...	Miss Meacham
Priscilla Morgan	...	Doreen

Storyline

It's the off-season at the lonely Beauregard Hotel in Bournemoth, and only the long-term tenants are still in residence. Life at the Beauregard is stirred up, however, when the beautiful Ann Shankland arrives to see her alcoholic ex-husband, John Malcolm, who is secretly engaged to Pat Cooper, the woman who runs the hotel. Meanwhile, snobbish Mrs Railton-Bell discovers that the kindly if rather doddering Major Pollock is not what he appears to be. The news is particularly shocking for her frail daughter, Sibyl, who is secretly in love with the Major.

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Plot Keywords:

reference to horace | reference to aristotle | snobbishness | dominant mother | seaside resort | 

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Taglines:

Once...Only Once in a Lifetime A Cast...A Story...A Motion Picture Like This!

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 February 1959 (France)

Also Known As:

Getrennt von Tisch und Bett

Filming Locations:

Stage 5, The Lot - 1041 N. Formosa Avenue, West Hollywood, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$7,400,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hill-Hecht-Lancaster Productions, Clifton Productions, Norlan Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the time Rita Hayworth was married to the co-producer of the film, James Hill.

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Goofs

When John takes Ann in his arms on the terrace, she drops her cigarette. As they go back inside, she still has the cigarette in her hand.

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Quotes

Ann Shankland: Being alone in a crowd is worse. It's more painful. More frightening. So frightening. So frightening.

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Alternate Versions

Delbert Mann did not want the song in the opening titles, and he discovered an old British print that included David Raksin's main title rather than the song, as he had wanted it, being used in a film festival.

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Connections

Featured in Hollywood and the Stars: The Odyssey of Rita Hayworth (1964)

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Soundtracks

Separate Tables
(1958)
Music by Harry Warren
Lyrics by Harold Adamson
Sung by Vic Damone (uncredited)

User Reviews

A film that grows on you.

Though Deborah Kerr and David Niven are often singled out for their performances, it's really the sensitive, restrained, and vulnerable performance by Rita Hayworth and her relationship with the intense Burt Lancaster that will make you want to come back to this film again and again.

Kerr is worlds away from her elegant performance in "An Affair to Remember." Her Sybil is dominated by her mother (excellently played by Gladys Cooper), repressed, plain, and rather odd. David Niven plays Major Pollock, a war-story windbag with some disturbing secrets. Niven won the best actor Oscar for his performance. However, on the second viewing of this film, his and Kerr's acting seemed showy and became a little irritating. I'm not so sure they stand the test of time.

The less shrill moments with Wendy Hiller (also excellent), Lancaster, and the lovely, involving Hayworth were a welcome respite. Hayworth, more than anyone else, will break your heart in this film. She makes you care about what happens with her character, Ann. Perhaps their roles weren't as tied to an era as Niven's and Kerr's, but Hiller's, Lancaster's, and Hayworth's acting styles certainly seem more natural and real.

Cathleen Nesbitt also turns in a warm and lovely performance as Lady Matheson.

I definitely recommend this movie!