I remember seeing Dr. Crippen in theaters way back in 1963 and have some vivid
impressions. Seeing it again more than 50 years later confirmed those same
impressions.
It's a simple but impressive work with three very sharp characterizations of the principals of one of Great Britain's most notorious murder cases/love triangle.
Donald Pleasance who was playing mostly villainous roles back in the day is the ill-fated Hawley Crippen, MD., one of London's most prominent physicians in Edwardian England. His success in his profession is not matched with a successful marriage.
But he's got certain joys on the side with young Ethel LeNeve, a typist in his office played by Samantha Eggar. He can hardly believe that this pretty young thing has fallen for a late forty something man who is hardly any kind romantic ideal.
But the performance that really riveted me back in the day was that of Coral Browne as Mrs. Crippen. I could not believe what an evil witch this woman was. You have to wonder what he saw in her back in the day to marry her. It was my impression of Browne that really made me remember the film, as it turns out exactly as I remember it. What a horrible human being Mrs. Crippen was.
The movie opens with the trial of Pleasence and Eggar with flashbacks to the events which include Browne's behavior, the affair of the two lovers and their escape to America which did not quite work out.
The questions about the Crippen case revolve around was her death deliberate or an accidental poisoning? Pleasence himself makes a confession of sorts, but the case is debated to this day by criminologists professional and amateur.
Pleasence and Eggar are fine in their roles and I consider this film to be one of Donald Pleasence's best performances. But Coral Browne got her best part in her career. You will remember her from this film most of all.
It's a simple but impressive work with three very sharp characterizations of the principals of one of Great Britain's most notorious murder cases/love triangle.
Donald Pleasance who was playing mostly villainous roles back in the day is the ill-fated Hawley Crippen, MD., one of London's most prominent physicians in Edwardian England. His success in his profession is not matched with a successful marriage.
But he's got certain joys on the side with young Ethel LeNeve, a typist in his office played by Samantha Eggar. He can hardly believe that this pretty young thing has fallen for a late forty something man who is hardly any kind romantic ideal.
But the performance that really riveted me back in the day was that of Coral Browne as Mrs. Crippen. I could not believe what an evil witch this woman was. You have to wonder what he saw in her back in the day to marry her. It was my impression of Browne that really made me remember the film, as it turns out exactly as I remember it. What a horrible human being Mrs. Crippen was.
The movie opens with the trial of Pleasence and Eggar with flashbacks to the events which include Browne's behavior, the affair of the two lovers and their escape to America which did not quite work out.
The questions about the Crippen case revolve around was her death deliberate or an accidental poisoning? Pleasence himself makes a confession of sorts, but the case is debated to this day by criminologists professional and amateur.
Pleasence and Eggar are fine in their roles and I consider this film to be one of Donald Pleasence's best performances. But Coral Browne got her best part in her career. You will remember her from this film most of all.