HOME AT SEVEN

 

Kino's BRIT NOIR COLLECTION II is now available, and like the first set, it contains three black & white British films from the 1950s and 60s whose stories involve crime and murder. Today I'll be discussing 1952's HOME AT SEVEN (also known as MURDER ON MONDAY), a London Films production based on a R.C. Sherriff play, starring Ralph Richardson, who also directed. (HOME AT SEVEN was the only theatrical feature the esteemed actor ever helmed.) 

HOME AT SEVEN gets things going right off the bat, as bank clerk David Preston arrives home from work at 7 pm, as he usually does. He finds his wife Janet (Margaret Leighton) in a state of hysterics, however--she hasn't seen him since he left for work Monday morning, and this is Tuesday. The befuddled Preston comes to the realization that he has no memory of what happened to him the last 24 hours--and neither, apparently, does anyone else. To make matters worse, a large amount of money was stolen from Preston's club, an organization in which he was the treasurer, and a member of the club--a man Preston despised--has been found murdered. Preston struggles to find out what exactly happened, with help from Janet and his Doctor (Jack Hawkins). 

HOME AT SEVEN is more of a suburban mystery story than a full-fledged noir, although there is a psychological element to Preston's mental block. The story's origins as a stage play are quite evident, with many dialogue-heavy scenes and events being described instead of dramatized visually. (The important character of the murdered man is never even shown.) 

Ralph Richardson played the role of David Preston on stage, and it fits him well. Richardson always brought a quirky aspect to whatever part he played, and while Preston appears to be a straightforward unassuming white-collar man, the viewer gets the feeling that he's hiding something. Richardson gets good support from Margaret Leighton as his loyal wife and Jack Hawkins as the trustworthy doctor. Many of the other roles in this film were played by actors who, like Richardson, also appeared in the stage version of the story. 

HOME AT SEVEN sets up a very intriguing premise, but the climax is a bit of a disappointment. Ralph Richardson is always entertaining to watch, and he directed this film capably enough, but if this story were remade again I've no doubt a few extra plot twists would be added. Ironically enough a BBC TV adaptation of HOME AT SEVEN was made in 1957, starring my favorite actor Peter Cushing in the lead role. I'd certainly love to see that, but it appears no copies of it exist.