Deception (Warner Bros.) (1946)

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION THIS1S THE Story (Not for Publication) At a small New York college Karel Novak (PAUL HENREID), European cellist, newly arrived from the maelstrom of war-torn Europe, gives his first American concert in an effort to rebuild his career. There Christine Radcliffe (BETTE DAVIS) finds him, after a separation of many years, and they discover that their love is stronger than ever. Soon they marry but their happiness is marred by the arrival of Alexander Hollenius (CLAUDE RAINS), a great composer, gentleman, epicure and all-around practitioner of the fine art of living. Obviously displeased with the marriage, Hollenius leaves the wedding party and Christine falsely explains to Karel that the composer was her sponsor and, in the temperamental manner of all great musicians, he is jealous. Later, when Christine informs Hollenius that she loves Karel and will never give him up, the composer, in a sudden generous impulse, offers to have Karel play the new Hollenius concerto at its premiere performance. After weeks of hard work, Karel is ready to play the concerto at a special rehearsal for Hollenius but the unpredictable composer cruelly baits the high-strung cellist with the result that the performance ends in a volcano of temperament. Christine angrily accuses Hollenius of deliberately trying to hurt Karel by offering him the chance of a lifetime only to snatch it out of his hands later. But Hollenius tells her she's behaving like a “bawling fish-wife" and assures her of his sincerity in sponsoring Karel. Later, when Christine learns that Hollenius has assigned Bertram Gribble (JOHN ABBOTT), another cellist, to understudy Karel, she is furious and pleads with Gribble to refuse to play the concerto should he be given the opportunity. But her approach is so emotional and irrational that she does nothing more than alienate Gribble, who promises her nothing. The full orchestra rehearsal is even less successful than the first, but the day of the premiere finally arrives. A special supper is planned for after the performance but when Christine hears Hollenius say that at the supper he might strike Karel "with unlovelier but more appropriate weapons" than music, she feels sure that her one-time benefactor intends to expose her former personal relationship with him. Certain that such an expose will ruin not only her life but Karel's, too, Christine visits Hollenius just before the concert and kills him with a single shot. Only when he lies dead before her does she realize, too late, that he actually intended no harm to Karel or herself. The concert is a success and Karel's future is assured. Later, Christine tells Karel she has killed Hollenius. He is stunned and bewildered. Again, too late, she realizes that the deceptions she practised on her husband about her past relationship to Hollenius were totally sinnecessary. Karel joves her and forgives her. She insists on going, alone, to surrender fo the police. With new found courage and Kerel’s love she can now face a dark future. THIS IS THE THIS 1S THE Cast Propuction STAFF CCHPISNRS ROGCUINO 006. .oktunnrobal | BETTE DAVIS Produced by Henry Blanke. Directed by Irving Rapper. Screen Play by John Collier and Joseph Than. Based on MOA NOVAK. (22 5g. o ek Jodi ca ee Pn PAUL HENREID a Play by Louis Verneuil. Photographed by Ernest Haller, A.S.C. Art Director, Anton Grot. Film Editor, Alan Alexander Hollenius 2.000000... CLAUDE RAINS Crosland. Sound by Dolph Thomas. Dialogue Director, : Jack Daniels. Special Effects by William McGann, Dir. — Bertram: Gribble: 0.8.5. fat Jie John Abbott Edwin DuPar, A.S.C. Wardrobe by Bernard Newman. Makeup Artist, Pere Westmore. Music by Erich Wolfgang Korngold; Musical Director, Leo F. Forbstein. Assistant Director, Jesse Hibbs. Set Decorations by George Jas. Hopkins. The Dunes 0 Secs Se es Benson Fong Country of origin U.S.A. Copyright 1946 Warner Bros. Pictures Distributing Corporation. All rights reserved. Copyright is waived to magazines and newspapers.