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The Man in the Mirror (1936 film)
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Wikipedia article
'The Man in the Mirror' is a 1936 British comedy film, directed by Maurice Elvey and starring Edward Everett Horton, Genevieve Tobin and Ursula Jeans.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090114021111/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/41659 BFI.org]
Plot
Jeremy Dilke, a withdrawn, mild-mannered man, works in the city. He is preparing an important report on nitrates, but his partner considers him too weak-willed to proceed with the deal. On the Underground train home Veronica, his partner's flirtatious wife, contrives to alight at his stop and persuade him to walk her home. Her plot is foiled by Dilke's wife, Helen, who takes him home in a taxi.
Jeremy argues with Helen and her mother, and both women leave the Dilke home.
Alone in the house, he is surprised when his reflection in the mirror steps out and tells him that he is his alter ego, the kind of man he wishes he was. The man-in-the-mirror then begins to live the more confident, aggressive life that the man had always dreamed of.
He kisses his wife with new passion and flatters his mother-in-law. He also takes command at the office, startling his partner into submission.
The real Dilke no longer sees his reflection in any mirror. While the new Dilke stays at home romancing his wife, the real Dilke can't go home, and is forced to stay in town. The real Dilke checks into a hotel under the name of Thompson, to avoid meeting his alter ego.Veronica spots him and presumes he is open to having an affair under his assumed name.
His partner is eager to close his nitrates deal with two visiting potentates. Vengeful against Jeremy, the partner schemes to squeeze him out of his share of the business. Jeremy sees through the trickery and beats him at his own game. Now successful and happy, and back home, Jeremy and his reflection agree to unite and co-operate.
Cast
* Edward Everett Horton as Jeremy Dilke
* Genevieve Tobin as Helen Dilke
* Ursula Jeans as Veronica Tarkington
* Garry Marsh as Charles Tarkington
* Aubrey Mather as Bogus of Bokhara
* Alastair Sim as the Bogus's Interpreter
* Renee Gadd as Miss Blake
* Viola Compton as Mrs. Massiter
* Stafford Hillard as Dr. Graves
* Felix Aylmer as Earl of Wigan
* Merle Tottenham as Mary
* Syd Crossley as the Porter
Production
The film was produced in England by Julius Hagen. The film's sets were designed by the art director Andrew Mazzei. Grand National Pictures released the film in America.
References
Bibliography
* Low, Rachael. 'Filmmaking in 1930s Britain'. George Allen & Unwin, 1985.
* Sutton, David R. 'A chorus of raspberries: British film comedy 1929-1939'. University of Exeter Press, 2000.
* Wood, Linda. 'British Films, 1927-1939'. British Film Institute, 1986.
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