Pink String and Sealing Wax (1946)

Director:

Robert Hamer

Writers:

Roland Pertwee (play)
Diana Morgan (screenplay)
(more)

Release Date:

2 October 1950 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Plot:

A drunken, abusive tavern-keeper's adulterous wife uses the backward son of a rigid, puritanical pharmacist who makes his entire family miserable.

Plot Keywords:

Poison | Brighton | Femme Fatale | Period Drama | Infidelity

Cast

Mervyn Johns	...	Edward Sutton
Googie Withers	...	Pearl Bond
Gordon Jackson	...	David Sutton
Jean Ireland	...	Victoria Sutton
Sally Ann Howes	...	Peggy Sutton
Colin Simpson	...	James Sutton
David Walbridge	...	Nicholos Sutton (as David Wallbridge)
Mary Merrall	...	Mrs. Ellen Sutton
John Carol	...	Dan Powell
Catherine Lacey	...	Miss Porter
Garry Marsh	...	Joe Bond
Pauline Letts	...	Louise
Maudie Edwards	...	Mrs Webster
Frederick Piper	...	Dr. Pepper
John Owers	...	Frank, the bartender
Helen Goss	...	Maudie, the barmaid
Margaret Ritchie	...	Madame Patti
Don Stannard	...	John Bevan
John Ruddock	...	Chief Justice
Ronald Adam	...	Clerk of the Court
Charles Carson	...	Editor
Valentine Dyall	...	Police Inspector
David Keir	...	Stage Door Keeper
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Amy Dalby	...	Lady Customer In Shop (uncredited)
Vincent Holman	...	Greengrocer (uncredited)

Directed by
Robert Hamer

Writing credits
Roland Pertwee		(play)
Diana Morgan		(screenplay)
Robert Hamer		(script contribution)

Produced by
Michael Balcon	....	producer
S.C. Balcon	....	associate producer

Original Music by
Norman Demuth

Cinematography by
Stanley Pavey		(director of photography) (as Richard S. Pavey)

Film Editing by
Michael Truman

Art Direction by
Duncan Sutherland

Makeup Department
Ernest Taylor	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Ronald Brantford	....	unit manager
Hal Mason	....	production supervisor

Sound Department
A.E. Rudolph	....	sound recordist
Eric Williams	....	sound supervisor

Camera and Electrical Department
H. Julius	....	camera operator

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Marion Horn	....	wardrobe supervisor
Bianca Mosca	....	dresses: Jean Ireland and Sally Ann Howes

Music Department
Ernest Irving	....	conductor

Other crew
Elaine Schreyeck	....	script supervisor (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Ealing Studios (present)

Distributors

• Eagle-Lion Distributors Limited (1946) (UK) (theatrical)
• Pentagon Pictures (1950) (USA) (theatrical)

Other Companies

• Ealing Studios  recorded at
• London Philharmonic Orchestra  music played by (as The London Philharmonic Orchestra)

Runtime:

89 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Australia:PG | Finland:S | UK:A | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Ealing Studios, Ealing, London, England, UK

Company:

Ealing Studios

Trivia:

When submitted to the US Production Code Administration in script form in November 1947, it was rejected because it showed details of a crime and ended with a suicide. It was released without receiving a PCA Seal of Approval.

A classical Victorian era pot boiler but lacking sufficient zest.

Excellent acting from the lead players, (especially from Mervyn Johns as the puritanical Victorian pater familias and Googie Withers as the pub landlady and murderess), and a good supporting cast as well mean that this Victorian-era pot boiler set in Brighton could have been something special, given the right direction. Unfortunately, though, it lacks this latter quality and the plot development is disjointed and lacks the necessary twists and thrills to have done the job. What results is a very average, Saturday afternoon matinee thriller, which leaves you thinking of the many ways it could have been improved upon. Perhaps a film studies seminar could use it for this purpose? 6/10.