When a music-hall dancer is murdered, a moss rose marks the page of a Bible next to her body. Luckily, another chorus girl saw a gentleman leaving the lodgings. She approaches him directly, saying she'll go to the police if he doesn't meet her demands, but he brushes her off contemptuously. When he learns she's dead serious, he tries to buy her off with a thick wad of pound notes. But it's not money she's after; all she wants is two weeks at his country estate, living the life of a lady.
Peggy Cummins
Belle Adair aka Rose Lynton
Victor Mature
Michael Drego
Ethel Barrymore
Lady Margaret Drego
Vincent Price
Police Inspector Clinner
Margo Woode
Daisy Arrow
George Zucco
Craxton
Patricia Medina
Audrey Ashton
Rhys Williams
Deputy Inspector Evans
Norman Ainsley
Deputy Coroner (uncredited)
Harry Allen
Threadbare Little Man (uncredited)
Frank Baker
Lodger (uncredited)
Billy Bevan
Harry, Cab Driver (uncredited)
Barbara Blaine
Dancer (uncredited)
Clifford Brooke
Chemist (uncredited)
Charlene Brooks
Dancer (uncredited)
Colin Campbell
Art Gallery Attendant (uncredited)
Leonard Carey
Coroner (uncredited)
Russ Clark
Constable (uncredited)
Michael Dyne
Asst. Hotel Manager (uncredited)
Paul England
Publican (uncredited)
Al Ferguson
Constable (uncredited)
Alex Frazer
Landlord (uncredited)
John Goldsworthy
Minister (uncredited)
Alec Harford
Bookseller (uncredited)
Sam Harris
Family Soliciter (uncredited)
Stuart Holmes
Pompous English Colonel (uncredited)
Colin Kenny
Cab Driver (uncredited)
Connie Leon
Seamstress (uncredited)
Lee MacGregor
Bellboy (uncredited)
Stanley Mann
Footman (uncredited)
Charles McNaughton
Alf (uncredited)
Tom Moore
Coroner's Foreman (uncredited)
Doreen Munroe
Lodger (uncredited)
Patrick O'Moore
George Gilby (uncredited)
Francis Pierlot
Train Conductor (uncredited)
Eileen Robinson
Dancer (uncredited)
Felippa Rock
Liza, Dancer (uncredited)
John Rogers
Fothergill (uncredited)
Carol Savage
Harriet (uncredited)
Dorothy Schoemer
Dancer (uncredited)
Wallace Scott
Cab Driver (uncredited)
Sally Shepherd
Maid (uncredited)
Gerald Oliver Smith
Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
Phil Sudano
Stevens (uncredited)
Basil Walker
Thompson (uncredited)
Jacqueline Warrington
Dancer (uncredited)
Gilbert Wilson
Footman (uncredited)
Victor Wood
Wilson (uncredited)
Director
Gregory Ratoff
Adaptation
Niven Busch
Novel
Marjorie Bowen
Screenplay
Jules Furthman
Screenplay
Tom Reed
November 2, 2013
8
As I lay me down to sleep...
Moss Rose is directed by Gregory Ratoff and adapted to screenplay by Niven Busch, Jules Furthman and Tom Reed from the novel The Crime of Laura Saurelle written by Joseph Shearing. It stars Peggy Cummins, Victor Mature, Ethel Barrymore, Vincent Price, Margo Woode, George Zucco, Patricia Medina and Rhys Williams. Music is by David Buttolph and cinematography by Joseph MacDonald.
Somebody is killing Michael Drego's (Mature) lovers and leaving behind a bible and a compressed dried moss rose. When her dancer friend is one of the victims, Belle Adair (Cummins) thinks she knows who the killer is and sets about blackmailing him for an unusual request...
British Gothic noir pulsing with maternal pangs and whodunit shenanigans, Moss Rose has much to recommend to the like minded adult. Lets not beat around the bush, though, motivations of the principal players are decidedly weak and the police fare little better in the brain department.
However, once one settles into the atmosphere brought out by MacDonald's (Niagra/Pickup On South Street) beautiful photography - and got tuned into Cummins' brash London accent - then it can sustain interest. It's more successful as a mood piece when out on the London streets than it is at the Drego mansion, though the period design of costuming and sets is most appealing.
Mature often came in for some stick for his acting, but I have sometimes thought much of it was unfair. Here though he is not quite right for the role, it feels like what it is, a name on the poster to draw the punters in. But his performance still works on sombre terms, besides which, Cummins and the wonderful Barrymore pretty much dominate proceedings anyway.
Price fans should note that he isn't in it much, and even then it's late in the picture, but he's suitably stylish and you can't help thinking he probably should have had the Michael Drego role instead! Meanwhile Ratoff (Black Magic) directs without fuss and histrionic filler.
An enjoyable ride with visual treats along the way, with a finale to nudge you to the edge of your seat. 7/10
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$0.00
Revenue:
$0.00