From Our Vaults
Rising director Ted Kotcheff helmed Life at the Top, a sequel to the 1959 Oscar film Room at the Top, again starring Laurence Harvey, this time around paired with (or rather paired opposite Jean Simmons and Honor Blackman).
The character of Simone Signoret, who had won an Oscar for her performance for the 1959 film, was killed in a car accident.
Grade: C+ (** out of *****)
| Life at the Top | |
|---|---|
Original film poster
|
|
A production of Romulus Films released by Columbia Pictures, the movie was produced by James Woolf, with William Kirby as associate producer.
The screenplay was by Mordecai Richler, based on the 1962 novel Life at the Top by John Braine.
The film stars Laurence Harvey, once again playing Joe Lampton, with Jean Simmons, Honor Blackman and Michael Craig.
Four actors reprised their roles from Room at the Top: Harvey, Donald Wolfit, Ambrosine Phillpotts and Allan Cuthbertson.
Room at the Top depicted Joe Lampton’s escape from working-class background through his seduction of, and marriage to, the daughter of a wealthy mill owner.
Ten years on, Joe is living the dream of successful young executive, with luxurious suburban house, white S-type Jaguar, and two children. However, Joe’s life is not the dream it appears to be.
Joe’s father-in-law, Abe Brown, is the mayor of the town and mill owner (Illingworths, Thornton Rd, Bradford) and, to Joe’s disapproval, Abe insists on sending Joe’s children to private boarding school. Joe’s son is also unhappy about this and when Joe invites in the paperboy in for a cup of tea, his son looks jealously on.
Joe attends a sherry party with his wife, but would rather be in the pub. The party is in the huge house of his father-in-law, where he meets Norah.
Joe says goodbye to his son at the railway station. Later that night, at his in-laws, they, rather than himself, choose the carpet in Joe’s house.
Joe no longer makes love to his wife, and she is having an affair with Joe’s married friend.
Joe goes to the Savoy Hotel in London with his friend for lunch with Titfield. After Titfield leaves they go to a strip show and the friend discusses dodgy business deals.
They discuss how Joe had caused the death of his wife, but he has a new love, Norah.
Joe goes home wearing Huckleberry Hound mask and finds signs of another man in the house. He hears them in the bedroom but does not enter.
In the last image, an impressive overhead shot, Joe, disgusted, gets into his car and leaves.
The music score was by Richard Addinsell and the cinematography by the brilliant Oswald Morris (who would work in the US with Sidney Lumet and Milos Forman).
The film’s art director, Edward Marshall, received a 1966 BAFTA Award nomination.
Honor Blackman would make a strong impression in the James Bond movies.
Cast
Laurence Harvey as Joe Lampton
Jean Simmons as Susan Lampton
Honor Blackman as Norah Hauxley
Michael Craig as Mark
Donald Wolfit as Abe Brown
Robert Morley as Tiffield
Margaret Johnston as Sybil
Ambrosine Phillpotts as Mrs. Brown
Allan Cuthbertson as George Aisgill
Paul A. Martin as Harry
Frances Cosslett as Barbara
Ian Shand as Hethersett
George A. Cooper as Graffham
Nigel Davenport as Mottram
Andrew Laurence as McLelland
Geoffrey Bayldon as Industrial Psychologist
Denis Quilley as Ben
David Oxley as Tim
David McKail as Oscar
Paul Whitsun-Jones as Keatley
Charles Lamb as Wincastle
Richard Leech as Doctor
Rex Deering as Lord Mayor
Harry Fowler as Magic Beans Man
Lola Morice as Mrs. Keatley
Credits:
Directed by Ted Kotcheff
Screenplay by Mordecai Richler, based on Life at the Top, 1962 novel by John Braine
Produced by James Woolf, Michael Craig, Donald Wolfit
Cinematography Oswald Morris
Edited by Derek York
Music by Richard Addinsell
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
Release date: December 14, 1965 (U.S.)
Running time: 117 min
Country United Kingdom
Note:
I am grateful to TCM for showing the film on August 11, 2022.
Ted Kotcheff Filmography:
Output: 22
1960s: 5
Tiara Tahiti (1962)
Life at the Top (1965)
The Desperate Hours (1967)
Of Mice and Men (1968) (TV)
Two Gentlemen Sharing (1969)
1970s: 6
Wake in Fright (1971)
Billy Two Hats (1974)
The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz (1974)
Fun with Dick and Jane (1977)
Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe? (1978)
North Dallas Forty (1979)
1980s: 7
Split Image (1982)
First Blood (1982)
Uncommon Valor (1983)
Joshua Then and Now (1985)
Switching Channels (1988)
Winter People (1989)
Weekend at Bernie’s (1989)
1990s: 4
Folks! (1992)
The Shooter (1995)
Family of Cops (1995)
Borrowed Hearts (1997)
