Room at the Top (1959)

An ambitious young accountant plots to wed a wealthy factory owner's daughter, despite falling in love with a married older woman.

Director:

Jack Clayton

Writers:

Neil Paterson (screenplay), John Braine (adapted from the novel by)

Stars:

Laurence Harvey, Simone Signoret, Heather Sears

Won 2 Oscars. Another 8 wins & 16 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Simone Signoret	...	Alice Aisgill
Laurence Harvey	...	Joe Lampton
Heather Sears	...	Susan Brown
Donald Wolfit	...	Mr. Brown
Donald Houston	...	Charles Soames
Hermione Baddeley	...	Elspeth
Allan Cuthbertson	...	George Aisgill
Raymond Huntley	...	Mr. Hoylake
John Westbrook	...	Jack Wales
Ambrosine Phillpotts	...	Mrs. Brown
Richard Pasco	...	Teddy
Beatrice Varley	...	Aunt
Delena Kidd	...	Eva
Ian Hendry	...	Cyril
April Olrich	...	Mavis

Storyline

The English factory town is dreary but Joe Lampton has landed a job with a future. To have something to do at night he joins a theatrical group. His boss's daughter Susan is playing ingenue roles on stage and in real life. She is attracted to Joe and Joe thinks about how much faster he will get ahead if he is the boss's son-in-law. This plan is complicated by his strong desire to be with an older woman who also belongs to the theatrical group. She is French and unhappily married. Joe believes he can get away with seeing both women.

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Plot Keywords:

angry young man | infidelity | extramarital affair | loss of virginity | cheating on girlfriend | 

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Taglines:

The Triple Award Winning Film of John Braine's SCORCHING Best Seller

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Simone Signoret's Oscar was the first time the award had been bestowed on an actress who had done no work in Hollywood.

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Goofs

When Joe drives past the Browns' house for the first time, the cars parked in front are obviously cardboard cutouts.

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Quotes

Mr. Brown: Don't worry about the way the world's run, lad. Enjoy it while you're young.

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Connections

Followed by Man at the Top: I'll Do the Dirty Work (1971)

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Soundtracks

Roses from the South
(uncredited)
Music by Johann Strauss
Arranged by Lambert Williamson

User Reviews

Signoret, smoking

Loneliness and longing in this extraordinary, ageless masterpiece. The film is dominated by the phenomenal Simone Signoret and I got dizzy looking at her beautifully complicated face. Laurence Harvey's petulance works wonders here and Jack Clayton, the director, orchestrates a soap opera for the thinking man. Everythings rings true even the most unbelievable details. The older woman syndrome is so masterfully captured here that, at times, you want to look away because the truth in Signoret's eyes is piercing as she sexily smokes her cigarette blowing the smoke right at us. I'm just rambling I know, my intention is to wet your appetite. Another extra bonus is the superb performance by Hermione Baddely, renamed by Noel Coward as Miss Gooddely. A total must!

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

French English

Release Date:

22 January 1959 (UK)

Also Known As:

Room at the Top

Filming Locations:

Halifax Railway Station, Horton Street, Halifax, West Yorkshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

GBP280,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Romulus Films, Remus

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1