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Ralph Hingston (Ronald Howard) and his young wife Clare (Margaret Johnston) enjoy a picnic by the river
PORTRAIT OF CLARE
Starring: Margaret Johnston, Robin
Bailey, Richard Todd. Producer: Leslie Landau. Director: Lance Comfort. Presented by Associated British Pictures. Certificate: U. Category: B.
Running time: ioo minutes.
This is a typical film of a novel, in this case one by Francis Brett Young. It is also typical of the novelist, though none the worse for that. He is well known as a specialist in these family affairs, with a little twist that makes the story. As a result of its origin there are too many characters, who all get in each other’s way. They have nothing to say in the film, though in the book they would have some more ) or less important place. There are twenty-nine characters listed in the cast, but it is difficult to remember more than a dozen of them.
But apart from such criticisms, it must be admitted that this is a very competent film based on the principle that it is wrong to marry except for love. Whatever the morality of such a principle may be, one can admit that marriage will seldom be successful with
out love, especially in these days of great personal freedom. It will perform a useful function if it makes those young people who see it careful before they rush into wedlock.
Margaret Johnston plays her part with customary distinction. As Clare she has married very young and has been widowed within six months as a result of a fishing accident. She broods over her loss, and suffers much, being the daughter of the landed gentry, because of bad relations with her in-laws, who are nouveau-riche. Eventually she marries again for the sake of her son, and finds only unhappiness because she does not love her husband. Robin Bailey as the husband, the lawyer Dudley Wilburn, plays an ungraceful part very well. He parts from his wife at last, and she has to wait an unspecified time until she is free to marry Wilburn’s cousin, Robert Hart (Richard Todd), with whom she has fallen in love. In her old age Clare can pass on the value of her experience to her grand-daughter.
This should be a popular film, especially among those who like to see some good interior photography.
U.