In John Sturges’ well directed thriller, Kind Lady, a con man (Maurice Evans) takes over the household of an old invalid woman, played by Ethel Barrymore.
Grade: C+ (** out of *****)
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Theatrical release poster
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Based on a play by Edward Chodorov, the scenario was penned by him, Jerry Davis, and Charles Bennett.
It stars Ethel Barrymore, Maurice Evans, Keenan Wynn and Angela Lansbury.
The film is remake of the 1935 film of the same name, which starred Aline MacMahon in the title role.
Oscar Context:
The film was Oscar nominated for its Costume Design (black and white) by Walter Plunkett and Gille Steele, but the winner was again Edith Head for “A Place in the Sun.”
A seemingly kind painter, Henry Elcott, tricks wealthy art collector Mary Herries into letting him, his wife Ada and their baby live in her London home, after Ada had collapsed.
It turns out to be a diabolical scheme by Elcott to sell off the artwork of Mrs. Herries while holding her and her housemaid Rose captive in their bedrooms.
Elcott’s accomplices, Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, take over as the butler and maid. Elcott masquerades as the lady’s nephew, come to take care of her affairs due to a sudden mental breakdown.
In no hurry to leave, Elcott paints a portrait of her and intends to sell her house. Mrs. Herries tries to bribe her, but the brutal Mr. Edwards snatches the money from his wife and refuses to leave.
Tensions rise as Mrs. Herries learns the true identity of Elcott from a portrait of his wife that he signed with real name. Ada has seen Elcott kill before and realizes he will again. She tries to free Rose, but the maid is murdered by Mr. Edwards.
Mr. Edwards goes upstairs to push Mrs. Herries out the window, an apparent suicide. But the body in the chair has been switched by Mrs. Herries and Ada and is actually that of Rose.
The police are on their way and Elcott realizes that they have all made fatal mistake.
The film made $361,000 in the U.S. and $139,000 in other markets, resulting in a loss to the studio of $664,000.
Cast
Ethel Barrymore as Mary Herries
Maurice Evans as Henry Springer Elcott
Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Edwards
Keenan Wynn as Edwards, the Butler
Betsy Blair as Ada Elcott
John Williams as Mr. Foster
Doris Lloyd as Rose
Moyna Macgill as Mrs. Harkley, Rose’s sister
Barry Bernard as Mr. Harkley
Patrick O’Moore as Constable Orkin
Credits:
Directed by John Sturges
Screenplay by Jerry Davis, Edward Chodorov, Charles Bennett, based on The Silver Mask 1932 story by Hugh Walpole
1935 play by Chodorov
Produced by Armand Deutsch
Cinematography Joseph Ruttenberg
Edited by Ferris Webster
Music by David Raksin
Production and distribution: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date: June 20, 1951
Running time: 78 minutes
Budget $911,000
Box office $500,000
