No one could portray the ordinary man plunged into extraordinary circumstances quite like Ralph Richardson. This movie may not appear on any best movie lists but believe me, every performer contributes to make this a gem. The whimsical opening, the tinkling music, Ralph Richardson's fussy little suburban 9 to 5 office worker masks it's genre - I initially thought it was a comedy but within minutes you are thrown into the dramatic world of amnesia.
David Preston is always home at seven but tonight his hysterical wife falls into his arms, Richardson lulling the viewer into a false sense of security just by his look of disbelief. Janet is frantic - she hadn't seen him since he left for work - the day before!! She has already called the police and consulted their concerned Dr. Sparling (Jack Hawkins) who, when he examines David finds he really has no idea about the last lost day. Jack Hawkins is just terrific - he just never doubts David's story and looks at things in a logical manner. Into this mix comes darker elements, David's neighbour, an old colonel pops over to inquire if David has the treasury funds that one of the other club members saw him holding last night. This shadowy, mysterious member (who David has developed a real hatred for) has lost no time in hurrying to the neighbour's house to inform on him. A short time later the man's body is found on some waste ground...but where is the money???
So many tantalizing tit bits so beloved by British "little" movies turn up. When Janet rings up David's work she is informed that his working day finishes at 5 - not 6, so where does he go for that hour (a perfectly innocent reason). Then when things get grim and a solicitor is called in, Janet has to confess that in reality they are poor - David has been paying back money over the years that his father absconded with. Margaret Leighton matches Richardson in intensity and emotion. From her first appearance she is keyed up to fever pitch and her quavering edginess never leaves her. She is brilliant.
Among the memorable scenes - the one where David reveals his true feelings about the mystery member, Richardson has you believing that's the way he really feels - to listen to his emotion was really unsettling. Another, when David realises that he may soon face prison, he tries to organise his business affairs in a calm and rational manner, all the while Janet's nerves are being strung to breaking point and then they plan to spend the evening at the pictures!!
Such a tribute to Richardson's acting, he never drops his character for a moment - even at the very end when everything has been settled, you know he doesn't really understand what has happened and will always be wondering about that missing day!!
Just brilliant!
David Preston is always home at seven but tonight his hysterical wife falls into his arms, Richardson lulling the viewer into a false sense of security just by his look of disbelief. Janet is frantic - she hadn't seen him since he left for work - the day before!! She has already called the police and consulted their concerned Dr. Sparling (Jack Hawkins) who, when he examines David finds he really has no idea about the last lost day. Jack Hawkins is just terrific - he just never doubts David's story and looks at things in a logical manner. Into this mix comes darker elements, David's neighbour, an old colonel pops over to inquire if David has the treasury funds that one of the other club members saw him holding last night. This shadowy, mysterious member (who David has developed a real hatred for) has lost no time in hurrying to the neighbour's house to inform on him. A short time later the man's body is found on some waste ground...but where is the money???
So many tantalizing tit bits so beloved by British "little" movies turn up. When Janet rings up David's work she is informed that his working day finishes at 5 - not 6, so where does he go for that hour (a perfectly innocent reason). Then when things get grim and a solicitor is called in, Janet has to confess that in reality they are poor - David has been paying back money over the years that his father absconded with. Margaret Leighton matches Richardson in intensity and emotion. From her first appearance she is keyed up to fever pitch and her quavering edginess never leaves her. She is brilliant.
Among the memorable scenes - the one where David reveals his true feelings about the mystery member, Richardson has you believing that's the way he really feels - to listen to his emotion was really unsettling. Another, when David realises that he may soon face prison, he tries to organise his business affairs in a calm and rational manner, all the while Janet's nerves are being strung to breaking point and then they plan to spend the evening at the pictures!!
Such a tribute to Richardson's acting, he never drops his character for a moment - even at the very end when everything has been settled, you know he doesn't really understand what has happened and will always be wondering about that missing day!!
Just brilliant!