Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1951)

'Long Dark Hall' Drama Of Fight Against Fate "What is the use of truth, if it does not sound true?" asks Rex Harrison from the witness box of London's famous Central Criminal Court, in the Eagle Lion Classics release of Peter Cusick's production, "The Long Dark Hall," which is slated to open at the Theatre. In that fashion, he expresses the terrible problem which overpowers him. He admittedly has been indiscreet in his behavior, but nevertheless finds himself in a predicament quite out of proportion to his indiscretion. In "The Long Dark Hall" Rex Harrison has this challenging task of showing us how such a man reacts to such a situation. Co-Stars With Palmer For Rex Harrison this role is more than just another film. As soon as he had read Nunnally Johnson's treatment of Edgar Lustgarten's novel "One More Unfortunate" he was determined to appear in this film which was to take him back to British studios after an absence of three years and also re-unite him on the screen with his wife, Lilli Palmer. Harrison Changes Role For 'Long Dark Hall' The role of a man accused of murder in the Peter Cusick production, "The Long Dark Hall," which will have its local debut this at the Theatre, was a new departure for Rex Harrison, who co-stars in the film with his wife, Lilli Palmer. Having specialized largely in roles of a lighter vein he had to work hard to change his style completely to create this harassed character laboring under the strain of a wrong accusation and at the same time convince the audience that they were not about to see another one of those light hearted, debonair characters for which Rex Harrison is justly famous. Harrison regarded his role in "The Long Dark Hall," which is being released by Eagle Lion Classics, as a challenge and, al though he still considers light comedy to be his specialty, he felt that a change from routine would give him new vitality. He said of acting: "Getting into a rut is the greatest danger in this profes sion. One may achieve stardom with one type of role but to re tain it one has to prove one's versatility as an actor." The picture was directed by Anthony Bushell and Reginald Beck. Nunnally Johnson wrote the screenplay. Rex Harrison has travelled a long way since his sensational overnight success in Terence Rattigan's play "French Without Tears." He has never denied that he specializes in light comedy but he is also aware of the fact that the light drawing room comedy which was so popular before the war has lost much of its appeal and that audiences, though still in search of light entertainment, are looking for something deeper and less frothy. Harrison's Henry VIII in Maxwell Anderson's play Anne of the Thousand Days," which was so successful on the Broadway stage, or his "King" in "Anna and the King of Siam" were by no means light comedy characters. On the other hand, the role of Arthur Groome in "The Long Dark Hall" is no character out of history or epic novel. Every member of the audience is intimately acquainted with men of just this sort. So Rex Harrison set himself the difficult task of bringing this Mr. Everybody to life on the screen. Mat 2 A Still LDH P14A Rex Harrison and Lilli Palmer are back on the screen after a five-year absence, co-starring in a turbulent drama of love and murder, "The Long Dark Hall," which will open at the Theatre. RexHarrison,LilliPalmer Star in 'Long Dark Hall' Lovely Lilli Palmer, who is currently starring with her husband, Rex Harrison in the Broadway hit, "Bell, Book and Candle," returned to England recently to make a film, "The Long Dark Hall," in which she is also starred with her husband. This is their first film together in five years, the last one being "The Notorious Gentlemen." 'Old Bailey' Trials Run of Mill to Him Feeling very much at home on the Old Bailey set during the making of Peter Cusick's film, "The Long Dark Hall," starring Rex Harrison and Lilli Palmer, was Mr. Alfred W. Burt, Keeper of the Central Criminal Court. He acted as technical supervisor of the trial scenes and in that capacity helped directors Anthony Bushell and Reginald Beck with advice on proper legal procedure during a murder trial. For Mr. Burt this was already his second film assignment. A few years ago he went to Hollywood to act in a similar capacity during the production of "The Paradine Case." Although he is now able to call himself an "old" film man, Mr. Burt still can't get over the offhand manner in which film technicians climb over benches and sit the audience the full import of In the picture which is coming to the Theatre, Miss Palmer plays the role of Mary Groome, wife of a man who takes up with a chorus girl subsequently found murdered, a crime of which he is accused. Through all this Mary stays by his side, deeply hurt at having been deceived, yet strong in her love for him. The part gives Lilli an abundance of opportunity to display her dramatic talents in a role that is symbolic of all women who love their men, no matter what circumstances are sent by fate to try them. Wife Important Although the main interest of "The Long Dark Hall," which is being released by Eagle Lion Classics, is focused on the character of Arthur Groome, played by Rex Harrison, it is the character of Mary who brings home to Mat 1C Still LDH PI 2 A Arthur Groome, played by Rex Harrison, is a man accused of murder in "The Long Dark Hall," which opens at the Theatre. on the judge's table of the world famous courtroom. "It would be interesting to see them try that in the real Old Bailey," he said jokingly. "The Long Dark Hall," which is being released by Eagle Lion Classics, will be shown starting at the Theatre. the terrible situation in which the husband finds himself. The screenplay for "The Long Dark Hall" was written by Nunnally Johnson who adapted Edgar Lustgarten's novel, "One More Unfortunate." Anthony Bushell and Reginald Beck share directorial credits for the film which Peter Cusick produced. Eagle Lion Section LONG DARK HALL" Page Three