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Obsession (1949 film)
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Wikipedia article
'Obsession', released in the USA as 'The Hidden Room', is a 1949 British crime film directed by Edward Dmytryk, based on the 1947 book 'A Man About a Dog' by Alec Coppel, who also wrote the screenplay for the film. 'Obsession' was entered into the 1949 Cannes Film Festival.
Plot
Clive Riordan, a wealthy London psychiatrist, learns that his wife Storm is cheating on him with an American, Bill Kronin. He resolves to get his revenge on both of them by committing the perfect murder of Kronin.
Kidnapping Kronin at gunpoint, Riordan keeps him prisoner for months in a hidden room while authorities mount a search for the missing man. Riordan reveals to Kronin that he plans to kill him and dissolve his corpse in an acid bath to ensure no evidence remains to be found. Riordan's plot appears to be succeeding until a superintendent from Scotland Yard, Finsbury, visits the doctor's office enquiring about the case and hinting that he knows what Riordan is up to, having been tipped off by an anonymous letter (from Storm, it seems) to the Yard. A three-way battle of wits ensues, with Finsbury trying to solve the case by fundamental police work and psychological tactics (claiming that a "professional," such as himself, has the advantage over the cleverest murderer, who is nearly always an "amateur" and will make mistakes), and Kronin desperately seeking ways to save himself. In the end, a stray cat and Storm's dog, Monty, both play key roles in bringing Riordan's diabolical scheme to its conclusion. The film has a surprisingly upbeat ending for a noir.
Cast
* Robert Newton as Dr. Clive Riordan
* Phil Brown as Bill Kronin
* Sally Gray as Storm Riordan
* Naunton Wayne as Supt. Finsbury
* James Harcourt as Aitkin (butler)
* Ronald Adam as Clubman
* Allan Jeayes as Clubman
* Olga Lindo as Mrs. Humphries
* Russell Waters as Flying Squad detective
* Sam Kydd as Club steward
Play and novel
Alec Coppel originally wrote the story as a play when living in Sydney during World War II. He adapted the work into a novel while travelling to London. Both play and novel were called 'A Man About a Dog' (although in the US the novel would be known as 'Over the Line').
The play opened in London in April 1946.
The novel was published in 1948. Many critics commented that it felt similar to a play.
There was a production of the play in London in May 1949.
Production
Film rights were bought by British producer Noel Madison. He also bought the rights to two other thrillers, 'Four Hours to Kill' by Norman Krasna and 'The Last Mile' by John Wexley.
The director was Edward Dmytryk, who had just left Hollywood following his appearance in front of the House Un-American Activities Committee. He went to England in mid 1948, where he was granted a work permit under the Ministry of Labour he was permitted the work there under the foreign directors' quota agreement between producers and the local unions. He signed a contract to direct the film with Nat Bronstein of Independent Sovereign Films on 1 October 1948."Dmytryk Inked to Direct British Film", 'Variety' 6 October 1948 p 2
Filming took place near the house of Alec Coppel, who wrote the script, near Grosvenor House. Coppel's home was turned into a temporary dressing room.
The plot involved disposing a body by dissolving it in acid. This had similarities to the John George Haigh case. Accordingly, the British Board of Film Censors refused to grant the film a certificate for a time and its release was held up.
Reception
'Variety' wrote that the film is slow-paced at first but becomes suspenseful. 'The New York Times' called it "a first-rate study in suspense and abnormal psychology". Kendal Patterson of the 'Los Angeles Times' described it as an early predecessor of 'Fatal Attraction'.
References
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