The Spaniard's Curse
The Spaniard's Curse | |
---|---|
Directed by | Ralph Kemplen |
Written by | Kenneth Hyde Ralph Kemplen Roger Proudlock |
Based on | The Assize Of The Dying by Edith Pargeter |
Produced by | Roger Proudlock |
Starring | Tony Wright Lee Patterson Michael Hordern Susan Beaumont |
Cinematography | Arthur Grant |
Edited by | Stan Hawkes |
Music by | Lambert Williamson |
Production company | Wentworth Films |
Distributed by | Independent Film Distributors |
Release date | 14 July 1958 |
Running time | 80 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
The Spaniard's Curse is a 1958 British thriller film directed by Ralph Kemplen and starring Tony Wright, Lee Patterson, Michael Hordern, Susan Beaumont and Henry Oscar.[1][2] It was shot at Walton Studios near London with sets designed by the art director Anthony Masters. It is based on the novella The Assize Of The Dying by Edith Pargeter.
Plot
Guy Stevenson (Basil Dignam) is a British man of Spanish heritage wrongly convicted of murder. On being given the death sentence, he places a curse on the judge (Michael Hordern) and jury. Two of the jurors then die mysteriously, and suspicion falls on Stevenson, but he himself also dies. The judge and his niece Margaret attempt to solve the mystery and uncover the real killer.
Cast
- Tony Wright as Charlie Manton
- Lee Patterson as Mark Brett
- Michael Hordern as Mr Justice Manton
- Susan Beaumont as Margaret Manton
- Ralph Truman as Sir Robert Wyvern
- Henry Oscar as Mr Fredericks
- Brian Oulton as Frank Porter
- Olga Dickie as Hannah
- Roddy Hughes as Arthur Jody
- Joe Gibbons as Foreman
- Evelyn Roberts as Colonel Judkin
- Jessica Cairns as Adriana
- Constance Fraser as Mrs Brooks
- Basil Dignam as Guy Stevenson
Critical reception
TV Guide called the film "an interesting murder mystery but one which never really delivers what it promises."[3] The Radio Times wrote, "Tony Wright has the most colourful part as the judge's wayward son, a crime reporter, but Michael Hordern as the judge gives the sharpest performance. It's the only film directed by top editor Ralph Kemplen, who wisely returned to his real talent, cutting Room at the Top, Oliver! and others".[4]
References
- ^ "The Spaniard's Curse (1957) - BFI". BFI. Archived from the original on 16 January 2009.
- ^ Hal Erickson. "The Spaniard's Curse (1958) - Ralph Kemplen - Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related - AllMovie". AllMovie.
- ^ "The Spaniard's Curse". TVGuide.com.
- ^ Allen Eyles. "The Spaniard's Curse". RadioTimes.
External links