Displaying items by tag: Marne Maitland

THE REPTILE

UK, 1966, 90 minutes, Colour.

Noel Willman, Jennifer Daniel, Ray Barrett, Jacqueline Pearce, Michael Ripper, John Laurie, Marne Maitland, Charles Lloyd Pack, George Woodbridge.

Directed by John Gilling.

A film from Hammer studios in the middle of the 1960s, after establishing a reputation with the horror films of Dracula and Frankenstein. They became more elaborate in the 1960s, more violence, sexuality – and an increase both ingredients in the late 1960s into the 1970s.

In comparison, this film is very mild, some violence, but an atmosphere of menace and mystery, some attacks, a sinister, vast reptile, victims, a mysterious doctor of theology who has been exploring mythologies in Borneo, his sinister Malay servant. By contrast, there is a former Grenadier Guard retiring with his wife to the country home of his brother who has been killed by the mysterious reptile.

Australian Ray Barrett plays the central character, moving back to Australia and films in the 1980s. Noel Willman creates an atmosphere as the mysterious doctor. Martin Maitland is suitably sinister as the Malay servant. And Michael Ripper, who has a record of appearing in more horror and hammer films than any other actor, has a more sympathetic role as the innkeeper.

Memories of Hammer films.

1. Hammer film of the mid-1960s? Horror? Menace?
2. The setting, the British countryside, ordinary homes, the mansions, laboratories and basements, the local pub, the cemetery? Atmosphere? The musical score?
3. The title, the mythologies, from Malaya and Borneo, serpents, individuals, murderous power, control?
4. The opening, Charles Spalding, pursued, killed? Dr Franklin and his presence? The Malay present? The puncture in the neck, the skin?
5. The village, the men in the pub, Tom and is running the pub, his navy background, wary, friendly to Harry and to Valerie? His suspicions, coming to the assistance of the couple?
6. In the cemetery, of the burial, the Vicar and his business like praying and departing? The later visit to the cemetery, digging up mad Peter’s body, digging up Charles Spalding? Harry and Tom working together?
7. Harry and Valerie, war service, inheriting, the solicitor, the train to the village, no one to make them, Harry going to the pub, the men all walking out? Tom offering the drink? Going to the house, settling in?
8. The encounter with Dr Franklin, Dr of theology, his background, travels, his daughter, his problems with her, refusing to help Mad Peter, the invitation to the meal, punishment of his daughter, the Malaise serving, the discussions?
9. The daughter, suddenly arriving, her charming presence, the flowers, her sudden departure, the menace of The Malay? Her father in control? The revelation of what happened, her being possessed, becoming the reptile? The need for her to be released?

• Harry, the puncture, his escape? Tom helping? Recuperation? Valerie going to the house, looking for the daughter? The encounter with Dr Franklin, locked in the room, the basement of the Serpent, the revelations?
• Harry and Tom to the rescue, the confrontation between Dr Franks in the Malay, the Malay and his death? Tom and Harry, breaking into the house, Dr Franklin’s death?
• The resolution of the mystery, hope for the future?

CAIRO ROAD

UK, 1950, 95 minutes, Black and white.

Eric Portman, Laurence Harvey Harold Lang, Gregoire Aslan, Karl Stepanek, John Gregson, Marne Maitland, Abraham Sofaer.

Directed by David McDonald.

With the British film industry building itself after World War II, a number of action features were filmed on location. They drew on the talented cast of British supporting players, veterans like Eric Portman and emerging stars, as here, Laurence Harvey and John Gregson.

Filming was done in Egypt. However, the very British leads were meant to be Egyptian police authorities (with British accents). Eric Portman could always show that he was in command of the situation, serious-minded, clear diction, often relentless. Laurence Harvey, in an early film, played the earnest subordinate, eager to please, continually making mistakes.

The central theme is drug running, interesting from a later point of view to see drugs and dealers in the earlier part of the 20^th century.

There is a murder of businessman, police investigations, the raid on a ship, various chases, two guilty brothers, turning on each other, more murders and then the solution.

1. Title and the focus of Egypt’s, Egypt 1950, location photography and atmosphere, black-and-white photography? The musical score?
2. The drug situation, the role of the police, personalities, methods, local, international connections? The range of drug dealers, their backgrounds, local, international?
3. Eric Portman as the commander, age, experience, manner, his attitude towards his assistant, the other members of staff, expectations? In action, shrewd, follow through, investigations?
4. Laurence Harvey as the newcomer, married, from Paris, eager to please, his theories, putting them into action, his mistakes, the stealing of the vehicle, often with success?
5. The range of local characters, businessmen, the murders, the brothers, one in prison, the ship, the captain of the ship, the surveillance by the Coast Guard and personnel?
6. The details of the transport of the drugs, by ship, by road, camels…?
7. Struggles within the group, controls, betrayals, murders, mistakes? And the final solution?

SOUTH OF ALGIERS

UK/US, 1953, 88 minutes, Colour.

Van Heflin, Wanda Hendrix, Eric Portman, Jacques Francois, Marne Maitland.

Directed by Jack Lee.

This is an entertainment typical of the first half of the 1950s, exotic adventures, filmed in authentic locations, finding photography, a blend of cast which is American, British and French. Produced a number of these films as did universal studios in the United States.

As with this kind of adventure, there are archaeologists wanting to explore ancient ruins south of Algiers, including the search for hidden treasure, archaeologists interested in uncovering knowledge, but, of course, some is a drink for the money.

At the centre is a British archaeologist played in typical stiff upper lip style by Eric Portman. Hendrix takes on a British accent to play his daughter. Van Heflin, the necessary American, is a journalist, writer of books, interested in archaeology, suspect by the British proving himself interested, collaborating with the work – and, with the adventurous climax, proving himself something of an action hero. On the other hand, the almost instant falling in love of the central characters is not particularly credible at all.

It is interesting to see North African countries and their lifestyle in the middle of the 20^th century, the ancient traditions (is plenty of dances), exotic tribes and demonstrations, tribal warfare, that the already welcome influence of Western styles, clothes, music, behaviour.

There is a comic touch with Marne Maitland and the touch of pathos with two young orphans trying to sell and he, bought by van Heflin and their taking a long for the adventure.

The film was directed by Jack Lee, of a number of significant British films, especially the prisoner of war film, The Wooden Horse. In Australia who directed A Town like Alice and Robbery under Arms. And in 60s, he moved to Australia.

1. Popular and colourful action adventure of the 1950s? British and American collaboration? Authentic locations in North Africa?
2. The location photography, the cities and their lifestyle, traditional, dances, clothing, poverty, tribes and warfare? The influence of the West in clothing, music, one of life? The musical score?
3. The situation, archaeology in North Africa, British archaeologists, grants, financial difficulties, Dr Burnett and his search for the mask, the imposition of Chapman, his unwillingness, his daughter sharing his work, her fiance?
4. Chapman, journalist, writer, American reputation? Joining Dr Burnett, American style, the plane, the press conference, meeting his daughter, the tour of the city, his enthusiasm, her being tired? His going to the restaurant, the belly dance, the conversation, his room searched?
5. The introduction to the villainous characters, listening in, information, infiltration, partnership, local contacts?
6. Thank you and the taxi, helping, the comic touch, the driving through the countryside, reckless? The site, the Wall, the exploration? The rival searchers?
7. The, Dr Burnett protecting his daughter, her hiring, coming along? In the city, looking for help, the warring tribes?
8. The dangers, the capture of Chapman, his kindness towards the children with the donkey, the enemy, all rounded up, tired, his escape? The battle, the shootouts?
9. The new site, the search, the discovery of the mask? The shootings?
10. The credibility/not of the romance, the nobility of the fiance? Typical ingredients of this kind of action adventure in its time?