The Case of the Frightened Lady (1940)

The Case of the Frightened Lady is a 1940 British, black-and-white, crime, drama, mystery thriller, directed by George King and starring Ronald Shiner as Detective Sergeant Totty, Felix Aylmer, Helen Haye and Marius Goring. It was produced by Pennant Picture Productions and presented by British Lion Film Corporation. The film is based on a play by Edgar Wallace.

This production was the second time that Wallace’s play had been adapted for the cinema. The first production in 1932 was directed by T. Hayes Hunter and starred Emlyn Williams. The BBC also produced two television versions; the first in 1938 and the second in 1983 which starred Warren Clarke and Virginia McKenna.

In 2008, the film was released on DVD by Odeon Entertainment as part of their 'Best of British' collection. Prior to this release, the film had not been seen in public since its original release.

Synopsis

The story is a thriller that revolves around the Lebanon family who live at Mark’s Priory. Lady Lebanon (Helen Haye) tells her son, Lord William Lebanon (Marius Goring) that he must marry his cousin Isla Crane (Penelope Dudley Ward) to continue the family line. However, William has no intention of marrying Isla and matters are made more complicated due to Isla falling in love with architect, Richard Ferraby (Patrick Barr), who has come to Mark’s Priory to draw up renovation plans. At the same time, the strange behavior of two footmen and the family physician (Felix Aylmer) add to the mystery surrounding the family and eventually rumor and speculation lead to a murderous conclusion.

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