#Audrey Erskine-Lindop

[movie-titlecards]

Blanche Fury (1948)

My rating: 5/10

[uwmspeccoll]

Steamy Saturday

The Tormented by British author Audrey Erskine Lindop (1920-1986) may indeed be steamy, but it's steamy in all kinds of negative ways, as the writer, an award-winning novelist whose work has been made into movies, treats queerness as an aberration that leads to a life of turmoil. As the review blurb from Library Journal notes, "The author's attitude is sympathetic. She treats homosexuality as an illness and her book is in part a plea for understanding. Some of these deviates can be cured, she says. They need sympathy and help."

The protagonist is Jeremy "Jimmy" Stretton, seen as effeminate in his youth, rejected by his family, bullied at school, struggling with gender identity and feelings of abandonment and loss. As an adult, he marries Pamela, much to the consternation of both sides of the family. He seeks psychological help, but still he is drawn to men, who manipulate and take advantage of him. It is Pamela, however, who convinces him that he need not be the way he is. Ugh!

The Tormented was first published in America in hardcover as The Outer Ring by Appleton-Century-Crofts in 1955. We show the first pulp paperback version published by Popular Library in 1956. We do like the cover art, however, which is uncredited. Susan Stryker in her 2001 book Queer Pulp notes, "The woman standing in the background, striking a sultry pose in a red dress, goes completely unnoticed by the two men in the foreground, who have eyes only for each other. . . . Note, too, that the black area surrounding the title of the cover of The Tormented is a Rorschach inkblot, a further suggestion of psychological torment."

View other pulp fiction posts.

[byneddiedingo]

Valerie Hobson and Stewart Granger in Blanche Fury (Marc Allégret, 1948)

Cast: Valerie Hobson, Stewart Granger, Michael Gough, Walter Fitzgerald, Maurice Denham, Sybille Bender, Allan Jeaves, Edward Lexy, Susanne Gibbs, Ernest Jay, Townsend Whitling, J.H. Roberts. Screenplay: Audrey Erskine-Lindop, Cecil McGivern, Hugh Mills, based on a novel by Joseph Shearing. Cinematography: Guy Green, Geoffrey Unsworth. Production design: John Bryan. Film editing: Jack Harris. Music: Clifton Parker. 

Timidity is fatal in moviemaking, and Blanche Fury, whose very title promises turbulent emotions, is a timid movie. It failed at the box office, and its producer, Anthony Havelock-Allan, acknowledged that it didn't turn out the way he wanted, leading to his departure from the producing company, Cineguild, and its eventual collapse. It’s a story, involving as it does an ancient curse, that demands high passion and exquisite villainy, but it gets neither. The key failure is in the protagonists, Blanche Fury (Valerie Hobson) and Philip Thorn (Stewart Granger). They should be modeled on the Macbeths, the very byword for glamorous wickedness. She is an impoverished gentlewoman, née Blanche Fuller, from the wrong side of the family. He is the manager of the country estate of the Fury family, their own kin but from the wrong side of the blanket. Thorn has been scheming to be declared the legitimate heir to the estate, hiring a lawyer to track down any evidence that his father, Adam Fury, actually married his mother. Blanche comes to the estate to serve as governess to the daughter of Laurence Fury (Michael Gough), current heir to the estate and a widower. So you guessed it: Blanche is going to marry the insipid Laurence and fall in love with the virile Thorn, and the two will scheme to get their own hands on the estate. Except that in the portrayal of their schemes, the film goes out of its way to make Blanche and Thorn look better than they are, to justify their wicked ways. Blanche is shown struggling to put up with the harshness of her previous employer, an imperious dowager, and Thorn likewise suffers the abuse and indignity of becoming essentially a servant to a household he believes he should head. Blanche and Thorn should flame, or at least smolder, with passion, but Hobson and Granger strike only the feeblest of sparks, partly because the screenplay doesn't give them enough opportunity to ignite. Much of the film seems to be derived from better costume dramas; there is, for example, a death that comes straight out of Gone With the Wind (Victor Fleming, 1939). There's also a lot of nonsense about marauding gypsies: The film's Roma are the stereotypical fortune tellers, trinket peddlers, and horse thieves. It has to be said that the movie is quite handsomely filmed in Technicolor by two eminent cinematographers, Guy Green, who did the interior scenes, and Geoffrey Unsworth, who shot the lovely exteriors in Staffordshire and Bedfordshire. If the story and the characters had the depth and color of its images, Blanche Fury might have been more than the routine costume drama it is. 

[mariocki]

I Start Counting! (1969)

"Len says even a murderer must have a family."

"Len says lots of things."

"But if he does, then one of them might know, mightn't they?"

"Not necessarily."

"If they were very close to him, understood him, they'd want to help him."

"Wynne, this man's mad. He doesn't know what he's doing. Sometimes, most of the time, he's perfectly normal and then - he just can't stop himself."

[everythingsecondhand]

I Start Counting, by Audrey Erskine Lindop (Fontana, 1969).

From a charity shop in Nottingham.

[albertserra]

its singing though, according to the official vinyl sleeve

The Singer Not the Song is a 1961 British drama film based on the 1953 novel of the same title by Audrey Erskine Lindop that was directed by Roy Ward Baker and filmed in Spain. It stars Dirk Bogarde, John Mills, and Mylène Demongeot. Leo Genn bought the rights to the novel in 1954 to allow him to play the bandit.[1] Roy Ward Baker was forced to direct the film under his contract with Rank. He tried to get out of it by suggesting Luis Buñuel as director but was unsuccessful.[2] Richard Burton was going to star in the film at one stage.[3] When the Rank Organisation insisted that John Mills play the priest, Dirk Bogarde became so incensed that he told director Roy Ward Baker, "I promise you, if Johnny plays the priest I will make life unbearable for everyone concerned". The film failed at the box office, but has since developed a cult following due to its camp homosexual context and over the top performance by the black clad leather pants worn by Bogarde.[4] Even though the story takes place in Mexico, the film was actually made in Alhaurín de la Torre, in Andalusia, Spain.

[claudia1829things]

"BLANCHE FURY" (1948) Review

"BLANCHE FURY" (1948) Review I suspect that many fans of costume dramas would be fascinated to know about the series of period dramas released by the British film industry during the post-World War II era. A good number of those films were released by a British film studio known as Gainsborough Pictures. But not all of them were released through this particular studio. Some were released through other studios or production companies . . . like the 1948 period drama, "BLANCHE FURY".

Based upon the 1939 novel written by Marjorie Bowen (under the pseudonym of Joseph Stearling), "BLANCHE FURY" told the story of two lovers during the 1850s, who become embroiled in adultery, greed and murder. More importantly, Bowen's novel and the movie was inspired by a real-life case involving the 1848 murder of an estate owner and his adult by a tenant farmer trying to stave off a bad mortgage. The story surrounding "BLANCHE FURY" proved to be a bit more complicated and melodramatic. The story begins with a beautiful, impoverished gentlewoman named Blanche Fuller, who is forced to serve as a domestic companion for a wealthy woman (think of Joan Fontaine in 1940's "REBECCA"). To Blanche's great relief, she receives an invitation to become governess for the granddaughter of her rich uncle Simon Fuller. Upon her arrival, Blanche becomes romantically involved with Simon's only son, the weak-willed Laurence. She learns that her uncle and cousin have assumed the surname of Fury, which belonged to the previous owner of the estate, the late Adam Fury. She also meets Philip Thorn, Adam's illegitimate son, who serves as the estate's head groom and resents Simon and Laurence's possession of his father's estate. Blanche decides to marry Laurence for the sake of security and wealth but becomes dissatisfied with her marriage. She and Philip also fall in love and quickly drifts into a sexual affair. Longing for possession of both Blanche and the estate, Philip drags Blanche into a plot that leads to double murder. The first thing that caught my attention about "BLANCHE FURY" that it is a beautiful looking film. Producer Anthony Havelock-Allan, director Marc Allégret and cinematographers Guy Green and Geoffrey Unsworth really made use of the Technicolor process. And if I must be brutally honest, I could say the same for the costumes designed by Sophie Devine, who created some colorful outfits for leading lady, Valerie Hobson, as shown below:

Despite my admiration for the photography and costumes, I was not that impressed by the set designs and especially the production designs. Well . . . let me take some of that back. I had no problems with John Bryan's production designs for scenes featured in smaller rooms - Philip's quarters and a private bedroom or two. But I was not impressed by scenes in large rooms - you know, the drawing room, foyer or library of the Fury manor. Quite frankly, these "sets" resembled badly made matte paintings instead of lived-in rooms. Lifeless. An individual museum room with a collection of paintings looked warmer. But I certainly had no problems with the story. The latter begins with Blanche in the process of giving birth before it flashes back to her days as a paid companion. Thanks to the screenplay written by Audrey Erskine-Lindop and Cecil McGivern, audiences received several glimpses into Blanche's mindset - her frustrations as a paid companion and later, as wife to the weak-willed Laurence Fury; her sexual fascination with Philip Thorn and the later realization that she had bitten off more than she could chew, thanks to Philip's murder plot. For me, the most memorable scene in the entire movie featured an argument between the unfaithful Blanche and the arrogant Laurence, who had insisted that she interrupt her rest to entertain a guest who had arrived with him and his father in the late evening. Blanche's blatant refusal to blindly obey her husband nearly caused me to stand up and cheer, despite the fact she had spent the last 24 hours cheating on him with Philip. I had an easier time understanding Blanche than I did Philip. He seemed to have this attitude that the Fury estate should have been given to him, despite being born on the wrong side of the blanket. And the fact that he was willing to destroy the Fuller-Fury clan (with the exception of Blanche), including Laurence's young daughter, left me feeling cold toward him in the end. "BLANCHE FURY" featured some very solid performances, despite a penchant for some of the cast to nearly drift into slightly hammy acting. I could never accuse Valerie Hobson of overacting. Mind you, her performance did not exactly knock my socks off, but I thought she did a pretty job. Her best moments proved to be the Blanche/Laurence quarrel and Blanche's horror over Philip's arrogant behavior following the deaths of her husband and father-in-law. I had recently come across an article suggesting that Stewart Granger was not exactly the most skillful actor. Recalling his performances in movies like "KING SOLOMON'S MINES", "SCARAMOUCHE" and "BHOWANI JUNCTION", I found this opinion hard to accept. But a part of me could not help but noticed that his performance in "BLANCHE FURY" - especially in the movie's last half hour - threatened to wander in the realm of the melodramatic. Otherwise, I found his performance satisfactory. Michael Gough fared just as well as Miss Hobson as Laurence Fury - especially in the memorable Blanche/Laurence quarrel scene. Though, there were moments when I thought he would go a little overboard. Sybille Binder, who portrayed the Furys' stoic housekeeper Louisa was just that . . . stoic. I thought she would play a major role in the movie. But in the end, I felt that her time was more or less wasted. Susanne Gibbs made a very charming Lavinia Fury, Laurence's young daughter. But I thought the best performance came from Walter Fitzgerald, who portrayed Blanche's no-nonsense uncle (later, father-in-law) Simon Fury. I found it rather interesting that Fitzgerald could portray such a blunt character with great subtlety. He seemed to be the only cast member who did not threatened to become melodramatic. I may have had a few problems with "BLANCHE FURY". But if I must be honest, I found it entertaining and rather satisfying. Thanks to Marc Allégret's direction, Audrey Erskine-Lindop and Cecil McGivern's entertaining screenplay, Guy Green and Geoffrey Unsworth's photography and a solid cast led by Valerie Hobson and Stewart Granger, I found the movie more than satisfying.

[redheadgleek]

Bibliophilia, Glitter, Jewel

Bibliophilia  Recommend a book or series, that you really like, to us.Already made one recommendation tonight and I recommended this last week, but I’d really love to more people go to their libraries and track down this book so we could flail together over it. The Way to the Lantern by Audrey Erskine Lindop. It’s the incredibly witty, clever story about the French Revolution. I read it in college. I would die for it to be a movie. 

Glitter  Name a few unnecessary, yet lovely things.I’m a rather practical person in a lot of ways. But. I injured my hand a year and a half ago, and about six months ago, I splurged on a paraffin wax bath with apple cinnamon wax and it is the best stuff ever. 

Jewel  Which gemstone is the most beautiful one to you?Amethyst. I really really love the color purple. When I was young and thought that romance was a possibility, I used to dream about an amethyst engagement ring. Now I don’t wear rings at all, so I’ve never had the impetus to buy one for myself. 

[movies-derekwinnert]

I Start Counting ** (1969, Jenny Agutter, Bryan Marshall, Clare Sutcliffe) - Classic Movie Review 10,066

I Start Counting ** (1969, Jenny Agutter, Bryan Marshall, Clare Sutcliffe) – Classic Movie Review 10,066

The 1969 British horror thriller I Start Counting is not too bad for a stalk and slash movie and it is all eerily handled by efficient director David Greene

Start counting the false clues in this hokey, but occasionally genuinely creepy version of Audrey Erskine Lindop’s psychological thriller, with an up-front attitude to sex.

The 16-year old Jenny Agutter (playing 14) grabs a big early chance…

[manualstogo]

For just $3.99 Blanche Fury Released on February 18, 1948: Blanche marries her cousin Laurence to become part of the Fury's of Clare Hall, but soon is in love with one of the servants who is a descendant of the real owners of Clare Hall. Produced by: Anthony Havelock-Allan Directed by: Marc Allegret Written by: Joseph Shearing with screenplay by Audrey Erskine-Lindop, Cecil McGivern and Hugh Mills The Actors: Valerie Hobson (Blanche Fury), Stewart Granger (Philip Thorn), Michael Gough (Laurence Fury), Walter Fitzgerald (Simon Fury), Susanne Gibbs (Lavinia), Maurice Denham (Major Fraser), Sybille Binder (Louisa), Ernest Jay (Solicitor Calamy), Townsend Whitling (Banks), J.H. Roberts (doctor), Allan Jeayes (Mr. Weatherby), Edward Lexy (Colonel Jenkins), Arthur Wontner (Lord Rudford), Amy Veness (Mrs. Winterbourne), Cherry London (Molly), George Woodbridge (Aimes), Lionel Grose (Jordon), Bryan Herbert (Elliot), Margaret Withers (Mrs. Hawkes), Norman Pierce (coroner), Wilfrid Caithness (clerk of court), James Dale (judge), Cecil Ramage (prosecuting counsel), David Ward (first clerk), Sidney Benson (second clerk), M.E. Clifton James (prison Governor), Michael Brennan (farmer), Charles Saynor (second farmer), Alexander Field (third farmer), Marie Ault (old gypsy woman), Roy Arthur (assessor), Derek Birch (judge's clerk), Vivien Dillon (servant), Lance George (jury foreman), R.W. Haddow (Sir Richard Waterson), Roddy Hughes (master of ceremonies), John Marquand (footman), Hilary Pritchard (court usher) Runtime: (hh:mm) 01:29 *** This item will be supplied on a quality disc and will be sent in a sleeve that is designed for posting CD's DVDs *** This item will be sent by 1st class post for quick delivery. Should you not receive your item within 12 working days of making payment, please contact us as it is unusual for any item to take this long to be delivered. Note: All my products are either my own work, licensed to me directly or supplied to me...

[redheadgleek]

For the book meme: 2, 7 and 15?

From this meme

2. top 5 books of all time?You had to start with the hard one. I hate choosing favorites. 

The Hunger Games trilogy. I devoured the first book on a plane ride. I bought the second book in the airport on the way back and the third at a bookstore on the layover.

Lord of the Rings. JRR Tolkien’s writing is poetry. I used to reread it every year. It’s been too long since I did so. 

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein. I love the storytelling format and the characters and the focus on friendships. Utterly devastating. 

The Way to the Lantern by Audrey Erskine Lindop. This is an extremely obscure book that my college friend recommended and I love it. An English actor, disguises, assumed identities in the French Revolution. It would make such a great costume drama. 

East by Edith Pattou. I love fairy tale retellings. This one is my favorite. 

7. is there a series/book that got you into reading?I’ve always been an avid reader. I started reading chapter books in kindergarten and never looked back. But my favorite childhood series was The Boxcar Children. 

15. recommend and review a book.I just finished reading The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, which was stunning. I downloaded it on a friend’s recommendation and by the time I got to read it, I had completely forgotten why and was rather annoyed with the first chapter. I’m glad I continued! It was really a poignant exploration about the black lives matter, about code switching, about death and grieving. Highly recommended. On a similar thread, I’m reading I am Alfonso Jones by Tony Medina, which is a graphic novel written for middle school/high schoolers about a black boy who was killed and his experiences in the afterlife (with Hamlet themes as well). I’m only a third of the way through it, so I’ll have to give an updated review later!

[movies-derekwinnert]

The Singer Not the Song ** (1960, Dirk Bogarde, John Mills, Mylène Demongeot) - Classic Movie Review 5171

The Singer Not the Song ** (1960, Dirk Bogarde, John Mills, Mylène Demongeot) – Classic Movie Review 5171

Crazy miscasting bedevils director Roy Ward Baker’s magnetically ridiculous British 1960 Freudian romantic adventure based on Audrey Erskine-Lindop’s novel. Alas, it has over-reaching ambitions and its serious nature and high-minded intentions only serve to make things worse.

Dirk Bogarde poses and postures absurdly as Anacleto Comachi, a black-leather-clad Mexican bandit who has a weird…