Curtain Up
 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(February 2009) |
| Curtain Up | |
|---|---|
 Pressbook cover | |
| Directed by | Ralph Smart |
| Written by | Jack Davies Michael Pertwee |
| Based on | On Monday NextbyPhilip King |
| Produced by | Robert Garrett |
| Starring | Robert Morley Margaret Rutherford Kay Kendall |
| Cinematography | Stanley Pavey |
| Edited by | Douglas Robertson |
| Music by | Malcolm Arnold |
Production company | Constellation Films |
| Distributed by | General Film Distributors |
Release date |
|
Running time | 81 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Budget | £67,945[1] |
Curtain Upis a 1952 Britishcomedy filmdirected byRalph Smartand starringRobert Morley,Margaret RutherfordandKay Kendall.Written byJack DaviesandMichael Pertwee[2]it is based on the playOn Monday NextbyPhilip King.[3]It was shot atIsleworth StudiosinLondonwith the exterior of the nearbyRichmond Theatrestanding in for that of Drossmouth. The film's sets were designed by theart directorGeoffrey Drake.
Plot[edit]
In an English provincial town, Drossmouth, a second-raterepertorycompany assembles at the Theatre Royal on Monday morning to rehearse the following week's play, amelodramatitledTarnished Gold.
Harry, their irascible producer, is highly critical of the play, which has been foisted on him by the directors of the company and is unenthusiastic about its prospects. The cast includes Jerry, a young and sometimes keen actor, Maud, a widowed actress who was once famous on the West End stage, Sandra, who is waiting for (and receives) a call from a London producer, her philandering and semi-alcoholic husband, and Avis, a timid young girl who is quickly realising that acting is not for her.
The cast is equally unenthusiastic of the play. Little progress is made. 'Jacko', the stage director, is at his wits end and threatens to resign, his regular habit when things go wrong. Just as matters seemingly cannot get worse, the author of the play, Catherine Beckwith, appears and insists on 'sitting at the feet' of the director.
She and Harry are quickly at each other's throats. Harry tears up most of Act 1 and storms angrily off stage, falling into the pit and injuring himself. Despite the forebodings of the cast, Miss Beckwith insists on taking over the rehearsal according to her own ideas. However, Harry recovers and recasts the play as a period piece.
A week later, to everyone's surprise, the curtain comes down on a triumphant first night.
Cast[edit]
- Robert Morleyas W.H. 'Harry' Derwent Blacker
- Margaret Rutherfordas Catherine Beckwith / Jeremy St. Claire
- Kay Kendallas Sandra Beverley
- Michael Medwinas Jerry Winterton
- Olive Sloaneas Maud Baron
- Liam Gaffneyas Norwood Beverley
- Lloyd Lambleas Jackson
- Charlotte Mitchellas Daphne Ray
- Joan Riceas Avis
- Charles Lambas George
- Constance Lorne as Sarah Stebbins
- Maggie Hanley as Mary
- Stringer Davisas Vicar
- Joan Hicksonas Harry's Landlady
- John Cazabonas Mr Stebbins
- Diana Calderwood as Set Painter
- Sam Kyddas Ambulanceman
Critical reception[edit]
The notice inThe New York Timesstated: "the provincial repertory company gets a gentle and mildly whacky going-over inCurtain Up,the British import that began a stand at the Sixtieth Street Trans-Lux on Saturday. It has such assets as Robert Morley and Margaret Rutherford, who easily manage to be quite superior to the threadbare situations in which they are involved, and it has the glaring deficit of being static for lengthy periods. WithCurtain Up,the actors have the opportunity of delivering some humorous lines here and there, but not too much else. "[4]TheAllmovieadds that "the delectable Kay Kendall provides a few sublime moments as the velvet-voiced leading lady."[5]
References[edit]
- ^Chapman, J. (2022). The Money Behind the Screen: A History of British Film Finance, 1945-1985. Edinburgh University Press p 358
- ^"Curtain Up (1952) | BFI".Explore.bfi.org.uk. Archived fromthe originalon 12 July 2012.Retrieved22 June2014.
- ^"Curtain Up 1952 | Britmovie | Home of British Films".Britmovie. Archived fromthe originalon 14 September 2015.Retrieved22 June2014.
- ^A. W. (2 February 1953)."Movie Review - Curtain Up - Review 1 - No Title; ' Curtain Up,' Dealing With Repertory Troupe, Is British Import at 60th Street Trans-Lux".The New York Times.Retrieved22 June2014.
- ^"Curtain Up (1952) - Trailers, Reviews, Synopsis, Showtimes and Cast".AllMovie.Retrieved22 June2014.
External links[edit]
- Curtain UpatIMDb
- Curtain Upat theBFI'sScreenonline