For Them That Trespass
For Them That Trespass is a 1949 British crime film directed by Alberto Cavalcanti and starring Richard Todd, Patricia Plunkett and Stephen Murray.[2] It is an adaptation of the 1944 novel of the same name by Ernest Raymond.[3]
For Them That Trespass | |
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UK theatrical poster | |
Directed by | Alberto Cavalcanti |
Produced by | Victor Skutezky |
Written by | J. Lee Thompson |
Based on | novel by Ernest Raymond |
Starring | Stephen Murray Patricia Plunkett Richard Todd |
Music by | Philip Green |
Cinematography | Derick Williams |
Edited by | Margery Saunders |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Associated British-Pathé (UK) |
Release date | 21 April 1949 (London UK) |
Running time | 95 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Box office | £124,978 (UK)[1] |
Plot
Promising writer Christopher Drew conceals his relationship with a murdered woman in order to protect his career, even though this results in an innocent man going to prison for the killing.
The upper-class Drew decides he needs some first-hand experience to invigorate his work, so he explores the seedier areas of town in search of inspiration. Much to his dismay, he witnesses a murder, but he then refuses to help an innocent man, Herbert Logan, who has been arrested for the crime, because his presence in such a neighbourhood would cause a scandal. Logan is freed after serving 15 years in jail. He hears his "crime" detailed in a radio drama written by Drew and gathers enough evidence to clear his name.[4]
Cast
- Richard Todd as Herbert Edward Logan
- Patricia Plunkett as Rosie
- Stephen Murray as Christopher Drew
- Michael Laurence as Jim Heal
- Vida Hope as Olive Mockson
- Rosalyn Boulter as Frankie Ketchen
- James Hayter as 'Jocko': John Cragie Glenn
- Harry Fowler as Dave
- George Hayes as Artist
- Michael Brennan as Inspector Benstead
- Joan Dowling as Gracie
- Michael Medwin as Len
- Mary Merrall as Mrs. Drew
- Irene Handl as Inn owner
- John Salew as Ainsley, Prosecutor
- Robert Harris as Sir Huntley, Defence counsel
- Kynaston Reeves as The Judge
- Helen Cherry as Mary Drew
- Frederick Leister as The Vicar
- Edward Lexy as the Second Prison Warder
- Valentine Dyall as Toastmaster
- Charles Lloyd Pack as Theatre Critic
- Andreas Malandrinos as Nicholas
- George Merritt (actor) as Engine Driver
- Kenneth Moore (1914-1982) - as Prison Warder
- Alan Wheatley as Librarian
Production
Richard Todd was cast after a screen test. It was his first leading role. His casting was announced in July 1948. He was also signed to a seven-year contract with Associated British.[5]
The film led to Todd being cast in The Hasty Heart.[6]
Critical reception
The New York Times called it "a drab and dreary little film".[7] On the other hand, Sky Movies calls it a "gripping movie drama which has a lot of high feeling and style. ... Still impressive, though more than 40 years after."[8]
Todd called it "dreary" but it led to him being offered a long-term contract with Associated British.[9]
References
- Vincent Porter, 'The Robert Clark Account', Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, Vol 20 No 4, 2000 p489
- "BFI | Film & TV Database | FOR THEM THAT TRESPASS (1949)". Ftvdb.bfi.org.uk. 16 April 2009. Archived from the original on 14 January 2009. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
- "For Them That Trespass: Ernest Raymond: Books". Amazon.ca. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
- "For Them That Trespass Review". Movies.tvguide.com. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
- "Parachutist Jumps Ahead". The Mirror. Western Australia. 3 July 1948. p. 15. Retrieved 26 June 2020 – via Trove.
- "Richard Todd is newest find for British films". The Australian Women's Weekly. 9 July 1949. p. 38. Retrieved 10 May 2020 – via Trove.
- Crowther, Bosley (27 September 1950). "Movie Review – For Them That Trespass – THE SCREEN IN REVIEW; British Import, 'For Them That Trespass,' With Richard Todd, at the Little CineMet". NY Times. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
- "For Them That Trespass – Sky Movies HD". Sky Movies. 1 April 2003. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
- HOWARD THOMPSON (17 April 1955). "THE RICHARD TODD CALLED 'PETER'". New York Times. p. X5.