Room to Let (1950 film) explained

Room to Let
Producer:Anthony Hinds
Music:Frank Spencer
Cinematography:Cedric Williams
Editing:James Needs
Studio:Hammer Films
Distributor:Exclusive Films
Runtime:68 minutes
Country:United Kingdom

Room to Let is a 1950 British historical thriller film directed by Godfrey Grayson and starring Jimmy Hanley, Valentine Dyall and Constance Smith.[1] It was adapted from the BBC radio play by Margery Allingham, broadcast in 1947.[2] [3]

Synopsis

After a fire at an insane asylum during the Edwardian era, a young journalist becomes convinced that one of the patients has escaped and taken lodgings at a local middle-class household. The mysterious "Doctor Fell" comes to dominate the three women in the house - mother, daughter and maid - and increasingly shuts them off from outside contact. Despite a lack of assistance from the authorities, the journalist suspects that the Doctor is in fact the notorious Jack the Ripper who is planning a fresh series of attacks.

Cast

Critical reception

TV Guide gave the film two out of five stars, calling it "A fairly disturbing programmer which remains suspenseful to the end."[4] and Fantastic Movie Musings and Ramblings wrote, "This is basically a variation of THE LODGER, and a very effective one. Valentine Dyall steals the movie as the truly creepy lodger, Dr. Fell."[5]

References

  1. Chibnall & MacFarlane p.76
  2. Web site: Room to Let (1950). https://web.archive.org/web/20171003041205/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6b49ff31. dead. 3 October 2017.
  3. Book: Jones, Julia. The Adventures of Margery Allingham. 12 January 2018. Golden Duck UK Ltd. 9781899262014. Google Books.
  4. Web site: Room To Let. TVGuide.com.
  5. Web site: Roon to Let (1950). 14 December 2014.

Bibliography