Love from a Stranger [A Night of Terror] *** (1937, Ann Harding, Basil Rathbone, Binnie Hale, Bruce Seton, Jean Cadell) – Classic Movie Review 9633

Director Rowland V Lee’s 1937 thriller Love from a Stranger [A Night of Terror] is the original, and far better, British version of Agatha Christie’s short story Philomel Cottage, before an American remake ten years later.

The yarn is about a woman called Carol Howard (Ann Harding) who wins the lottery, falls out with her fiancé Ronald Bruce (Bruce Seton), weds suddenly on the rebound and learns that she could have married a fortune hunter and crazed lady-killer, Gerald Lovell (Basil Rathbone). He spends her money on a European tour and a new house in the country, but then there is a mysterious phone call…

The stars make the most of a fascinating Suspicion-style mystery, particularly Rathbone, in an entertaining over-the-top performance. It is beautifully photographed in black and white by Philip Tannura, there is a music score by the young Benjamin Britten no less, and Rowland Lee directs tautly.

Love from a Stranger is a little bit creaky and actory, but it is still quite slick, atmospheric and suspenseful, and it delivers the right mystery thrills.

Frances Marion’s screenplay is based on Frank Vosper’s play adaptation from Christie’s 1924 short story Philomel Cottage.

The future definitive Miss Marple Joan Hickson appears as the maid Emmy.

Also in the cast are Binnie Hale, Bruce Seton, Jean Cadell, Bryan Powley, Joan Hickson, Donald Calthrop, and  Eugene Leahy.

It is made at Denham Studios, Denham, Buckinghamshire, England, by Trafalgar Film Productions.

It is remade as Love from a Stranger [A Stranger Walked In] by Richard Whorf in 1947, with Sylvia Sidney and John Hodiak.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9633

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