| The Trunk | |
|---|---|
 Original 1961 poster | |
| Directed by | Donovan Winter |
| Screenplay by | Donovan Winter |
| Story by | Edward Abraham Valerie Abraham |
| Produced by | Lawrence Huntington |
| Starring | Philip Carey Julia Arnall Dermot Walsh |
| Cinematography | Norman Warwick |
| Edited by | Reginald Beck |
| Music by | John Fox |
Production company | Donwin Films |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 72 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
The Trunk is a low budget, black and white 1961 British mystery film directed by Donovan Winter and starring Phil Carey, Julia Arnall and Dermot Walsh.[1]
Plot
Trouble ensues when Lisa marries Henry, a British lawyer. Lisa's jealous ex-boyfriend Stephen decides to take revenge by convincing her that she has killed Diane, her husband's ex-girlfriend. Lisa gives Stephen the money he wants to keep quiet and dispose of the corpse. Unfortunately, the dead woman's other ex-lover, Nicholas, sees the two together. After getting his money from Lisa, Stephen puts Diane's body in a trunk and drives to an isolated area. There he discovers that the woman is not feigning death; she has been killed by the jealous Nicholas, in a manner that will incriminate Stephen.
Cast
- Phil Carey as Stephen Dorning
- Julia Arnall as Lisa Maitland
- Dermot Walsh as Henry Maitland
- Vera Day as Diane
- Peter Swanwick as Nicholas Steiner
- John Atkinson as Matt
- Betty Le Beau as Maria
- Tony Quinn as porter
- Robert Sansom as bank manager
- Pippa Stanley as Mrs. Stanhope
- Richard Nellor as Sir Hubert
- Nicholas Tanner as policeman
Critical reception
Monthly Film Bulletin said "Frame-ups, red herrings, theatrical atmosphere and a twist ending, all equally unbelievable, add up to a utility piece of melodramatic nonsense, nowhere really clever enough to arouse much enthusiasm."[2]
TV Guide wrote, "the movie is badly produced and too seamy for its own good."[3]
In The New York Times, Bosley Crowther wrote, "now that the British are importing American actors to commit homicide in their low-budget movies, they seem to have lost their flair." Crowther called it a "foolish melodrama" that is "several kilometers removed from Agatha Christie."[4]
Sky Movies called it a "creepy little thriller" that is "hugely enjoyable. The director doesn't miss a trick at tightening up the suspense."[5]
References
- ↑ "The Trunk". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ↑ "The Trunk". Monthly Film Bulletin. 28 (324): 37. 1961 – via ProQuest.
- ↑ "The Trunk Review". Movies.tvguide.com. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
- ↑ Crowther, Bosley (1 November 1962). "Movie Review - Almost Angels - Screen: 'Period of Adjustment' Opens:Film Based on Play by Tennessee Williams Marriage Difficulties Theme of Comedy". NYTimes.com. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
- ↑ "The Trunk - Sky Movies HD". Skymovies.sky.com. 9 October 2003. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
External links