Night Was Our Friend
 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(August 2021) |
| Night Was Our Friend | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Michael Anderson |
| Written by | Michael Pertwee(play and screenplay) |
| Produced by | Gordon Parry |
| Starring | Elizabeth Sellars Michael Gough Ronald Howard Marie Ney |
| Cinematography | Gerald Gibbs Moray Grant |
| Edited by | Charles Hasse |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Monarch Film Corporation |
Release date |
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Running time | 61 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Night Was Our Friendis a 1951 Britishdrama filmdirected byMichael Andersonand starringElizabeth Sellars,Michael GoughandRonald Howard.The title references a line fromVirgil's epic poemThe Aeneid.
Plot[edit]
A young woman is acquitted of the murder of her husband, who died in suspicious circumstances. The film then goes intoflashbackto portray the events leading up to his death. Sally Raynor'saviatorhusband Martin has been missing for two years and is believed dead, during which time she has fallen in love with a local doctor, John Harper, whom she plans to marry. When Martin unexpectedly returns fromBrazilstill alive, she decides to give up the doctor and go back to her life with Martin, although their marriage had not been a happy one. Over the next six months his erratic behaviour, brought on by his ordeal, makes Sally believe he is insane. A close friend of the family, Arthur 'Glan' Glanville, also realises this, as does Dr John Harper and the family's housekeeper. Martin's mother also sees his strange behaviour, but chooses to ignore it. On one of his wild nighttime walks, he attacks someone, a man who only survives by chance. Glan finds evidence of this and tells Sally, saying they must immediately get Martin treatment in a mental hospital, to prevent him being sent to jail. Sally asks Martin to agree to treatment, but the thought of losing his freedom, as happened in Brazil, terrifies him, and he begs her to help him by finding another way. Sally plans to kill him with an overdose of sleeping tablets to protect him from society's punishment, but can't go through with it. Instead, he commits suicide, but Sally is charged with his murder. Glan believes she is innocent, but Martin's mother, despite having seen her son attacking Sally, believes she is guilty. Although innocent of his death, Sally is haunted by guilt and, even after a jury clears her of murder, she is hesitant to marry the doctor she loves.
Cast[edit]
- Elizabeth Sellarsas Sally Raynor
- Michael Goughas Martin Raynor
- Ronald Howardas Dr John Harper
- Marie Neyas Emily Raynor
- Edward Lexyas Arthur Glanville
- Nora Gordonas Kate
- John Salewas Mr Lloyd
- Cyril Smithas Rogers the Reporter
- Cecil Bevanas Clerk of the Court
- Felix Feltonas Foreman of the Jury
- Linda Gray as Spinster
- Edie Martinas Old Lady Jury Member
- Roger Maxwellas Colonel
- Michael Pertweeas Young Man
Production[edit]
The film was made byACT Filmsas aB Movieintended to be released on the lower-half of a double bill. Based on a play byMichael Pertweethe film was made at the Viking Studios inKensington.[1]The film's sets were designed byart directorDuncan Sutherland.It was considered above average for a B film, and was shown on theOdeoncircuit of cinemas and also given a release in the United States. Anderson went on to be one of the leading British directors of the decade with films such asAround the World in Eighty Days.
References[edit]
- ^Chibnall & McFarlane p.105
Bibliography[edit]
- Chibnall, Steve & McFarlane, Brian.The British 'B' Film.Palgrave MacMillan, 2011.