Life at the Top (Columbia Pictures) (1965)

(Mat 2B; Still No. 59) Laurence Harvey and Honor Blackman are starred, with Jean Simmons, Michael Craig and Donald Wolfit, in "Life at the Top,’ new romantic drama based on the John Braine novel. "Life at the Top" is a Royal Films International release. Honor Blackman Honor Blackman achieved a unique screen stardom as the well-endowed blonde who belted around James Bond in ‘“Goldfinger,” following a British television series in which she played a two-fisted adventurer in a skin-tight leather jump suit. Now, in “Life at the Top,” which also stars Laurence Harvey, Jean Simmons, Michael Craig and Donald Wolfit at the ...... Theatre, the only wrestling she does, according to Miss Blackman, is in romantic scenes with Harvey. Her first important acting opportunity, “Life at the Top” is a Royal Films International release. Honor and her actor-husband Maurice Kaufmann have an agreement not to practice judo at home. “Actually he knew something about judo before we got married, but that isn’t the reason I said ‘yes’ to him.” From Honor’s candid description, Maurice still has plenty to contend with. “One time I threw him at a party,” she confesses, “when we were both half drunk. He made a pass at me and I didn’t recognize him. But it was all right, because he bounced.” An independent, free-speaking honesty has made Miss Blackman an interviewer’s favorite. Of her role in “Life at the Top,” she once said, “The woman I play is not terribly concerned about consequences. She doesn’t want to be suddenly transformed into a clinging vine, obligating any one or being obligated in return.” It is for this reason that she dumps Harvey, when she discovers he expects more from her than she is prepared to give. She will make no sacrifices for him; she has a completely masculine idea of a love affair. “Life at the Top” is based on the novel by John Braine, one even more sensational than his earlier “Room at the Top.” Donald Wolfit ——<$—————————————— Bushy-browed Donald Wolfit, veteran British stage and screen actor, again plays a domineering woolen mills operator at the fhe Pa Theatre in “Life at the Top,” based on the John Braine novel that is as sensational as “Room at the Top.” Also starred in the new film, a Romulus production, are Laurence Harvey, Jean Simmons, Honor Blackman and Michael Craig. Harvey won international fame as the social climber in the first film; now, in “Life at the Top,” he plays Wolfit’s power-hungry sonin-law. Michael Craig Trained as an actor in the British stage tradition, with years of repertory theatre experience, Michael Craig currently stars with Laurence Harvey, Jean Simmons, Honor Blackman and Donald Wolfit at the ...... Theatre in “Life at the Top.” Craig plays Harvey’s best friend, a man who seduces and is seduced by his wife, Miss Simmons. “Life at the Top,” based on the John Braine novel, is a Royal Films International release. Craig was featured in numerous films, among them “The Malta Story”; “The Silent Enemy,” in which he also appeared with Laurence Harvey; the highly-regarded _ thriller “Sapphire”; the top comedy “Upstairs and Downstairs”; “Doctor in Love” and Bryan Forbes’ “The Angry Silence.” He recently was starred with Claudia Cardinale in Italian director Luchino Visconti’s “Sandra.” James Woolf produced “Life at the Top,” which was directed by Ted Kotcheff. The screenplay for the Romulus production was written by Mordecai Richler. (Mat 2A) Laurence Harvey and Jean Simmons star as faithless husband and wife in "Life at the Top," also starring Honor Blackman, Michael Craig and Donald Wolfit. Based on the new John Braine best-seller, “Life at the Top" is a Royal Films International release. ‘LIFE AT THE TOP’ CAST Joe Lampton 20... Laurence Harvey MOMMY 3 cn thac eta Nigel Davenport Susan Lampton Jean Simmons ‘Moledand’ 0 Andrew Laurence Norah Haurley 0... Honor Blackman Industrial Psychologist ..... Geoffrey Bayldon MAK canner sese tetris neevasl oy BiH oss: shy PEAR tehear ae et a Dennis Quilley Mie eae gL aad ps Har eee aoe ae PET OR David Oxley WAG EU Ee eS Robert Morley a pie eect lies re Margaret Johnston UT eG Ree Sate? 2 sponse ie: Wn hie 2 Ambrosine Phillpotts OBMOY co cd tere Paul Whitsun Jones George Aisgill .................. Allan Cuthbertson Arthur Wincastle 00.0000... Charles Lamb 6 steers pein May ienttaepeinr Paul A. Martin Newspaper Boy ................. Michael Newport BR IBOR EC. obs t edonacter ae he Frances Cosslet DSGTOE e.5c 05 cea Bi ei: Richard Leech i. Se el ie ne er lan Shand SHTIODOE ..cccccwe wen Ingrid Anthofer Graffham 0. George A. Cooper Magic Beans Man Harry Fowler ‘LIFE AT THE TOP’ CREDITS Producer: .....) et se James Woolf Hairdresser 0. Joan Smallwood Director: 5... a oe eee Ted Kotcheff COMTNUIER hits Sl Hs ee Phyllis Crocker Screenplay by ...........0.0....... Mordecai Richler Camera Operator oo... Brian West Based on the novel by... John Braine Sef Dresser i ie os... cc David Ffolkes Associate Producer ................... William Kirby WV erro be. 262... Sion el eee: Jackie Cummins Music Composed by.......... Richard Addinsell Furs by Deanfield of London and Paris Dir. of Photography........ Oswald Morris, B.S.C ET 2 Rea ecm reas re et Jenia Reissar Ast Director! oooh ceyss Edward Marshall Sound Recording... Norman Bolland, Bob Jones File Batter cided Derek York Dubbing Editor 200000... Jonathan Bates Production Manager .................... Charles Blair Music Conducted by ................. Marcus Dods Assistant Director ...00.0.0.00.0000.... Kip Gowans e Costume Designer ................ Beatrice Dawson A Romulus Production Make-Up Supervisor ................ George Frost A Royal Films International Release ____OFFICIAL_ BILLING LAURENCE HARVEY 50% JEAN SIMMONS 50% HONOR BLACKMAN 50% MICHAEL CRAIG 50% LIFE AT THE TOP also starring DONALD WOLFIT = 95% Screenplay by MORDECAI RICHLER 15% Based on the novel "Life At The Top” by JOHN BRAINE Produced by JAMES WOOLF 95% Directed by TED KOTCHEFF 25% A ROMULUS PRODUCTION 25% A Royal Films International Release 35% 100% THE STORY (Not for Publication) After ten years of marriage, Joe and Susan Lamp ton are restless and unhappy. Their two children and lovely suburban home, and Joe's success as sales chief in his father-in-law's woolen mills, symbolize middle class conformity and Joe's restless eye settles on Norah Hauxley, a local television commentator. He joins Norah in London when he discovers Susan and their philandering friend Mark making love. Norah realizes quickly enough that a jobless Joe cannot help her to further her career. Susan decides she still wants Joe, and persuades him to return, to take the place of her father who is retiring from business. Joe is at the top, at last, but he still feels himself trapped by circumstances. Running Time: |17 minutes Page 9