The Man in Black (film)

Not to be confused with Men in Black (1997 film) or Men in Black (franchise).

The Man in Black is a 1950 British thriller film directed by Francis Searle and starring Betty Ann Davies, Sheila Burrell and Sid James.^[1] It was adapted by Hammer Film Productions from the popular British radio series Appointment with Fear featuring Valentine Dyall.^[2] Dyall ("The Man in Black" of the radio series) here provides the on-screen introduction to the film, as "The Story-Teller."^[3]

The Man in Black
handbill poster
Directed by	Francis Searle
Written by	John Gilling from a story by Francis Searle from the radio series by John Dickson Carr
Produced by	Anthony Hinds
Starring	Betty Ann Davies Sheila Burrell Sid James Anthony Forwood Valentine Dyall
Cinematography	Cedric Williams
Edited by	John Ferris Ray Pitt
Music by	Rupert Grayson Frank Spencer
Production company	Hammer Film Productions
Distributed by	Exclusive Films
Release date	January 1950 (1950-01)
Running time	80 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

Plot

After the death of her yogi father during a freak "yoga accident," (brought about by his second wife), Joan Clavering returns home to her widowed stepmother Bertha. Henry Clavering has left a good sum of money to Bertha, but the vast bulk of his fortune to Joan, unless Joan is incapacitated in some way. Bertha conspires with her daughter Janice to drive Joan insane and deprive her of her rightful inheritance.^[4][5][6]

Cast

• Betty Ann Davies as Bertha Clavering
• Sheila Burrell as Janice
• Sidney James as Henry Clavering / Hodson
• Anthony Forwood as Victor Harrington
• Valentine Dyall as the Man in Black
• Gerald Case as Doctor
• Hazel Penwarden as Joan Clavering
• Laurence Baskcomb as Sandford
• Courtney Hope as Carter
• Mollie Palmer as Elsie

Critical reception

TV Guide wrote, "The story is drivel, with some unintentionally campy plot developments. It was adapted from a British radio series, perhaps proving that some dramas are better heard than seen."^[7]

Fantastic Movie Musings and Ramblings wrote, "One of Hammer's earlier forays into horror. This one is highly recommended."^[5]

Leonard Maltin called it a "clever little thriller with some surprises and a rare noncomic role for James."^[2]

References

1. "Man in Black".
2. "Man in Black, The (1949) - Overview - TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies.
3. "MAN IN BLACK, THE (1949)". Otrdvd.co. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
4. "The Man in Black | BFI | BFI". Explore.bfi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
5. "Fantastic Movie Musings & Ramblings - MAN IN BLACK (1949)". Scifilm.org. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
6. "The Man in Black (1950) - Trailers, Reviews, Synopsis, Showtimes and Cast - AllMovie". AllMovie.
7. "The Man In Black Review". Movies.tvguide.com. Retrieved 12 March 2014.

External links

• The Man in Black at IMDb