The Man in Black (film)

The Man in Black is a 1949 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]

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

The Man in Black
handbill poster
Directed byFrancis Searle
Produced byAnthony Hinds
Written byJohn Gilling
from a story by Francis Searle
from the radio series by John Dickson Carr
StarringBetty Ann Davies
Sheila Burrell
Sid James
Anthony Forwood
Valentine Dyall
Music byRupert Grayson
Frank Spencer
CinematographyCedric Williams
Edited byJohn Ferris
Ray Pitt
Production
company
Hammer
Distributed byExclusive Films (UK)
Release date
  • January 1950 (1950-01)
Running time
80 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Plot

After the death of her yogi father during a freak "yoga accident", Joan Clavering returns home to her widowed and suddenly very wealthy step-mother Bertha. The latter conspires with her daughter Janice to drive Joan insane and deprive her of her rightful inheritance.[4][5][6]

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]

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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.
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