Fallen Idol (1948)
Director: Carol Reed
This 1948 thriller had all the ingredients of a dark noir thriller. Unfortunately, as it is told from a child's viewpoint, it must have been pressured to have a happy ending. The suspense is slowly builds up with muffled adult conversations as the main character of the film, a preteen Phillipe, an ambassador's son who is trying spend his weekend alone as he father leaves the Embassy to pick his wife from the hospital.
Phillipe is left under the care of the butler, Baines who is trying to sort out his personal problems. Baines is trying to convince his girlfriend, a typist in the Embassy not to leave her job or to end their relationship. Baines is having a troubled marriage to an ill-tempered wife who is also a tyrant trying to discipline Phillipe during his parents' absence. Phillipe is awed by Baines' tall adventure stories and bravery.
In spite of Baines being caught in a desperate situation trying to juggle his sulking girlfriend and a suspicious wife, he still manages to keep Phillipe entertained. He introduced the girlfriend, Julie, as his niece to Phillipe and asked the boy to keep it as their secret!
Mrs Baines tricks everyone into believing that she has left town to visit an ailing just to spy on her husband.
She manages to corner her husband when Julie was staying the night. A fight ensued, between Mr and Mrs Baines at the top of the flight of stairs. Phillipe, who has been peeking at the whole fiasco, bolts off via the fire escape stairs. Baines manages to pacify his wife. He leaves her to send his girlfriend away through the back door. Just then, Mrs Baines tries to spy into the guest bedroom but slips and fall to her death.
By then, Phillipe sees a motionless Mrs Baines and assumes that Mr Baines had killed him.
Phillipe walks around aimlessly in a daze to be stopped by a cop.
What happens next is the display of excellent British suspense and wit. As the police slowly moves in to investigate the death, it is the question of Phillipe trying to protect Mr Baines, Mr Baines trying to avoid Julie's involvement, Phillipe's contradictory and annoying statements and discovery of Mrs Baines' note complicates police work. At one time, it looked like Mr Baines who go in for a murder he did not commit.
Finally, justice prevails. Phillipe's mother returns and Baines and his girlfriend get together...
The main star of the show seem to be child star who appear in almost every frame of the film.
A entertaining thriller but no child play!
Director: Carol Reed
Phillipe is left under the care of the butler, Baines who is trying to sort out his personal problems. Baines is trying to convince his girlfriend, a typist in the Embassy not to leave her job or to end their relationship. Baines is having a troubled marriage to an ill-tempered wife who is also a tyrant trying to discipline Phillipe during his parents' absence. Phillipe is awed by Baines' tall adventure stories and bravery.
In spite of Baines being caught in a desperate situation trying to juggle his sulking girlfriend and a suspicious wife, he still manages to keep Phillipe entertained. He introduced the girlfriend, Julie, as his niece to Phillipe and asked the boy to keep it as their secret!
Mrs Baines tricks everyone into believing that she has left town to visit an ailing just to spy on her husband.
She manages to corner her husband when Julie was staying the night. A fight ensued, between Mr and Mrs Baines at the top of the flight of stairs. Phillipe, who has been peeking at the whole fiasco, bolts off via the fire escape stairs. Baines manages to pacify his wife. He leaves her to send his girlfriend away through the back door. Just then, Mrs Baines tries to spy into the guest bedroom but slips and fall to her death.By then, Phillipe sees a motionless Mrs Baines and assumes that Mr Baines had killed him.
Phillipe walks around aimlessly in a daze to be stopped by a cop.What happens next is the display of excellent British suspense and wit. As the police slowly moves in to investigate the death, it is the question of Phillipe trying to protect Mr Baines, Mr Baines trying to avoid Julie's involvement, Phillipe's contradictory and annoying statements and discovery of Mrs Baines' note complicates police work. At one time, it looked like Mr Baines who go in for a murder he did not commit.
Finally, justice prevails. Phillipe's mother returns and Baines and his girlfriend get together...
The main star of the show seem to be child star who appear in almost every frame of the film.
A entertaining thriller but no child play!
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