Before I Wake (1955 film)

(Redirected from April Haddon)

Before I Wake (U.S. title: Shadow of Fear ; also known as Decoy be Damned) is a 1955 British mystery film directed by Albert S. Rogell and starring Mona Freeman, Jean Kent and Maxwell Reed.[2][3] It was shot at Walton Studios in Surrey, with sets designed by the art director Scott MacGregor. This was director Rogell's final film.[4]

Before I Wake
US theatrical release poster
Directed byAlbert S. Rogell
Written byRobert Westerby
Based onnovel Before I Wake by Hal Debrett[1]
Produced byCharles Leeds
Steven Pallos
StarringMona Freeman
Jean Kent
Maxwell Reed
Hugh Miller
CinematographyJack Asher
Edited byJim Connock
Music byLeonard Salzedo
Production
companies
Gilbraltar Films
Roxbury Productions
Distributed byGrand National Films (UK)
United Artists (US)
Release date
  • 10 February 1955 (1955-02-10)
Running time
76 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Synopsis

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Returning home to England from the United States following news of her father's sudden death in a boating accident, April Haddon meets her stepmother Florence for the first time. The former nurse of her mother, she had married April's father after her death. April finds that in the few years she has been away her stepmother has completely changed the house, the old furnishings replaced with modernist art and the old family housekeepers replaced by a maid with loyalty to her new mistress. When her father's will is read, it becomes clear that the redrawn will Florence had been expecting had never been completed and the old will still stands, leaving most of his inheritance to April in three weeks when she turns twenty one. Convinced that Florence intends to murder her first, April turns to an old friend the local doctor to help her.

Cast

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Critical reception

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The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Wholehearted melodrama, complete with wicked stepmother, glass of poisoned milk, sinister side-glance and hypodermic syringe. As the malevolent Florence, Jean Kent gives a somewhat over-obvious performance, relying for effect on a limited range of meaningful grimaces. The editing is untidy and the pace generally slow, and although there are some moments of suspense they are scarcely enough to carry the film."[5]

TV Guide gave the film 2/4 stars for a "Decent suspense mystery," concluding that "The strong point of the film is the credibility Kent gives the story."[6]

References

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  1. ^ Goble, Alan (8 September 2011). The Complete Index to Literary Sources in Film. Walter de Gruyter. ISBN 9783110951943 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ "Before I Wake". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  3. ^ "BFI | Film & TV Database | BEFORE I WAKE (1955)". Ftvdb.bfi.org.uk. 16 April 2009. Archived from the original on 5 May 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  4. ^ "Albert Rogell | Movies and Filmography". AllMovie.
  5. ^ "Before I Wake". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 22 (252): 56. 1 January 1955 – via ProQuest.
  6. ^ "Shadow Of Fear | TV Guide". TVGuide.com.
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