Bedlam (1946)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Mark Robson

Writers:

William Hogarth (engravings The Rake's Progress)
Val Lewton (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

10 May 1946 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Film-Noir | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Sensational Secrets of Infamous Mad-house EXPOSED! (1946 one-sheet poster)

Plot:

Nell Bowen, the spirited protege of rich Lord Mortimer, becomes interested in the conditions of notorious St...

Plot Keywords:

Asylum | Quaker | Reform | B Movie | Period Piece

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Boris Karloff	...	Master George Sims
Anna Lee	...	Nell Bowen
Billy House	...	Lord Mortimer
Richard Fraser	...	Hannay
Glen Vernon	...	The Gilded Boy (as Glenn Vernon)
Ian Wolfe	...	Sidney Long
Jason Robards Sr.	...	Oliver Todd (as Jason Robards)
Leyland Hodgson	...	John Wilkes
Joan Newton	...	Dorothea the Dove
Elizabeth Russell	...	Mistress Sims

Also Known As:

Chamber of Horrors (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

79 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #11077, Adult Audience) | UK:PG

Company:

RKO Radio Pictures

Trivia:

The dress Anna Lee is wearing as she mounts her horse is the one Vivien Leigh made from the curtains in Gone with the Wind (1939).

Goofs:

Continuity: In the early scene where Nell and Lord Mortimer drive by in a carriage, Nell is holding her parrot. Depending on the shot, the parrot's position and behavior change completely--in some it is sitting absolutely still, in others it is curled up preening itself.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Goldfinger (1964)

Not the best of the Val Lewton movies but worth watching for the terrific performance from Karloff.

'Bedlam' stars Boris Karloff and was produced by Val "Cat People" Lewton so it's generally described as a horror movie, but it's really more of a melodrama with a few thrills. It was directed by Mark Robson who actually worked with Lewton more times than the more celebrated Jacques Tourneur. In my opinion Robson's collaborations with Lewton haven't received as much attention as they deserve. 'Bedlam' features one of Karloff's best performances. An interesting character, he is sadistic yet witty, both a writer and in charge of the infamous asylum Bedlam. Anna Lee, who previously co-starred with Karloff in 'The Man Who Changed His Mind', plays the protege of a Lord whom Karloff tries to ingratiate himself with. When she threatens his position he has her committed to Bedlam which he controls with an iron fist. Inside she eventually befriends many of the inmates which leads to an unforgettable climax. 'Bedlam' is by no means the best of the Val Lewton movies (its lack of success pretty much ended his career) but it's entertaining enough and is a must see for Karloff fans.