A Betty E. Box Independent Production for Carillon Films, released in the U.K. through G.F.D. (25 December 1950), in Australia through B.E.F. (18 September 1952), in the U.S.A. through Columbia (August 1952). Copyright in the U.S.A. by General Film Distributors, Ltd., on 21 November 1950. New York opening at the Park Avenue: 12 November 1951. Registered: November 1950. "A" certificate. 8,647 feet. 96 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: An ex-intelligence officer takes a job as a live-in assistant to a butterfly collector in the country, but the apparently serene household is not as peaceful as it seems on the surface.
NOTES: Real locations were expertly utilized in London, Newcastle, and large areas of Northern England, including the Lakes District.
COMMENT: A first-rate mystery thriller that builds suspense slowly and surely and then comes to one of the most stunning chase climaxes ever filmed, The Clouded Yellow boasts a really outstanding cast of talented players. Be sure to see only the full 96 minute version, not the version screened on American TV which has been cut down to 85 minutes. The loss of 11 minutes may not seem that much in theory, particularly as all the action material remains intact but without that necessary exposition which skillfully attracts audience sympathy to the lead characters, all the thrills seem somewhat empty and non-involving.
Assisted by the expert cinematography of Geoffrey Unsworth, director Ralph Thomas has made absolutely brilliant use of a whole gamut of real locations.
Howard gives one of his most vigorous performances as the man on the run, while the lovely Jean Simmons superbly conveys the troubled innocence of the engaging yet puzzling heroine.
SYNOPSIS: An ex-intelligence officer takes a job as a live-in assistant to a butterfly collector in the country, but the apparently serene household is not as peaceful as it seems on the surface.
NOTES: Real locations were expertly utilized in London, Newcastle, and large areas of Northern England, including the Lakes District.
COMMENT: A first-rate mystery thriller that builds suspense slowly and surely and then comes to one of the most stunning chase climaxes ever filmed, The Clouded Yellow boasts a really outstanding cast of talented players. Be sure to see only the full 96 minute version, not the version screened on American TV which has been cut down to 85 minutes. The loss of 11 minutes may not seem that much in theory, particularly as all the action material remains intact but without that necessary exposition which skillfully attracts audience sympathy to the lead characters, all the thrills seem somewhat empty and non-involving.
Assisted by the expert cinematography of Geoffrey Unsworth, director Ralph Thomas has made absolutely brilliant use of a whole gamut of real locations.
Howard gives one of his most vigorous performances as the man on the run, while the lovely Jean Simmons superbly conveys the troubled innocence of the engaging yet puzzling heroine.