Mr. Denning Drives North
| Mr. Denning Drives North | |
|---|---|
.jpg) UK theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Anthony Kimmins |
| Written by | Alec Coppel |
| Produced by | Anthony Kimmins Stephen Mitchell |
| Starring | John Mills Phyllis Calvert Herbert Lom Eileen Moore |
| Cinematography | John Wilcox |
| Edited by | Gerald Turney-Smith |
| Music by | Benjamin Frankel |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | British Lion Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 93 minutes |
| Country | England |
| Language | English |
| Box office | £70,197 (UK)[1] |
Mr. Denning Drives North is a 1951 British mystery film directed by Anthony Kimmins and starring John Mills, Phyllis Calvert and Sam Wanamaker.[2] The plot concerns an aircraft manufacturer (Mills) who accidentally kills the boyfriend (Herbert Lom) of his daughter (Moore) and tries to dispose of the body. Alec Coppel wrote the script, adapted from his own novel. It was made at Shepperton Studios.
Plot
Aircraft manufacturer Tom Denning rd (John Mills) is married to Kay (Phyllis Calvert); they have a daughter, Liz (Eileen Moore). Liz is dating Mados (Herbert Lom) who Tom "accidentally" kills by punching him. Instead of calling the Police, Tom disposes of the body in a ditch. He tries to disguise the victim by placing a large ornate ring on the victim's finger. Later torn with his guilt, he goes back to pick up the body only to find that it has disappeared.
Made in 1951, the film shows outdated attitudes that are not acceptable now. The film somehow expects the audience to feel sympathy for Tom who has committed manslaughter. At the end of the film, many in the audience will feel uneasy that, with the help of his wife and daughter, Tom manages to escape being prosecuted and remains free. While the victim, however nasty he was, is not even given a decent burial.
Cast
- John Mills as Tom Denning
- Phyllis Calvert as Kay Denning
- Eileen Moore as Liz Denning
- Sam Wanamaker as Chick Eddowes
- Herbert Lom as Mados
- Raymond Huntley as Wright
- Russell Waters as Harry Stoper
- Wilfrid Hyde-White as Woods
- Freda Jackson as Ma Smith
- Trader Faulkner as Ted Smith
- Sheila Shand Gibbs as Matilda
- Bernard Lee as Inspector Dodds
- Michael Shepley as Chairman of Court
- Ronald Adam as Coroner
- John Stuart as Wilson
- Hugh Morton as Inspector Snell
- David Davies as Chauffeur
- Ambrosine Phillpotts as Miss Blade
Original novel
| Author | Alec Coppel |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | thriller |
| Publisher | Harrap |
Publication date | 1950 |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
The film was based on a novel by Coppel that was published in late 1950.[3][4][5]
The Washington Post thought the Rolls Royce "made more sense than any of the alleged human characters... a bit pretentious."[6]
Production
Film rights were bought by Alexander Korda's London Films.[7] John Mills' casting was announced in May 1951.[8] It was Mills' first film in almost two years.[9]
At one stage Dane Clark and Pat Roc were reportedly going to support Mills.[10]
Sam Wanamaker had been living in England since 1949 and was offered the part after writing to his agent from holiday in France asking if any jobs were going.[11]
Reception
Box office
The film performed poorly at the British box office.[1]
Critical reception
The New York Times wrote, "this little melodrama serves as still another reminder, from a country that jolly well knows how to exercise it, that restraint can work minor wonders...Persuasive and tingling, minus one false note... No doubt about it. The British have what it takes."[12]
References
- ^ a b Vincent Porter, 'The Robert Clark Account', Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, Vol 20 No 4, 2000 p495
- ^ "BFI | Film & TV Database | MR. DENNING DRIVES NORTH (1951)". Ftvdb.bfi.org.uk. 16 April 2009. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
- ^ BOOKS RECEIVED. (1950, Dec 07). The Manchester Guardian (1901–1959) Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/docview/479141205
- ^ Mr Denning Drives North at AustLit
- ^ "Latest Fiction". The Advertiser. Adelaide. 3 March 1951. p. 6. Retrieved 20 March 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Sproul, K. (1951, Jun 17). The coffin corner. The Washington Post (1923–1954) Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/docview/152365227
- ^ By, S. W. (1951, Nov 18). NOTED ON THE LONDON SCREEN SCENE. New York Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/docview/111773898
- ^ "Film news from Hollywood and London". The Sun. No. 12, 873. Sydney. 3 May 1951. p. 40 (LATE FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved 3 September 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Australian Angles". The Sunday Herald. Sydney. 17 June 1951. p. 12. Retrieved 20 March 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Drama: Milland, Brian, Carter in 'Bugles;' Nat Holt Buys Oceanic Subject Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File); Los Angeles, Calif. [Los Angeles, Calif]25 Apr 1951: A7.
- ^ "Patricia returns". The Mail. Adelaide. 16 February 1952. p. 6 Supplement: SUNDAY MAGAZINE. Retrieved 20 March 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ H. H. T. (2 September 1953). "Movie Review – Mr Denning Drives North – A Cool, British Appraisal of Murder". NYTimes.com. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
External links
- Mr. Denning Drives North at IMDb
- Mr. Denning Drives North at Rotten Tomatoes
- Mr. Denning Drives North at the TCM Movie Database
- Review at Variety