A trio from director Anthony Asquith, and producer Anatole de Grunwald, showcasing Dirk Bogarde and Sophia Loren ....


![]() |
Caron by Beaton, click image to enlarge |
LIBEL, 1959. Much more entertaining is this 1959 courtroom drama, also
by Asquith and de Grunwald. Dirk Bogarde again is the lead, playing a double –
even a triple – role as the baronet accused of being an imposter by visiting
Canadian Paul Massie, who shared a wartime prison camp with Mark Lodden and
another soldier Frank who was able to impersonate him, as they looked rather
alike. Massie now thinks Lodden is an imposter, played by Frank, and is determined
to expose him. A sleazy newspaper with a grudge against Lodden pubishes the
libel, and we are off to court. Lodden though has memory problems since their
wartime escape and even his devoted wife Olivia De Havilland has her doubts as
to his real identity as the case proceeds, as she often feels he is not the
same man as he was before the war …. Opposing barristers are Robert Morley and
Wilfrid Hyde White with Richard Wattis as judge, so a satisfying case is
unveiled. ‘Number 15’ is also brought in, a brain-damaged solider who may be
either Frank or Lodden. Olivia sees the look of horror on her husband’s face
and believes he is guilty.
It turns out that Frank tried to kill Lodden during their escape to take over his identity, but Lodden left Frank brain-dead as he fought back. Lodden now remembers a medal Olivia gave him and which is hidden in the jacket Nr 15 was found in, which is Lodden’s jacket. It is now revealed that Lodden is the real baronet, and Mr 15 the vegetable-like Frank. Apologies all round and Lodden forgives his wife who could not confirm his identity in the witness box …. An agreeable time-waster for a wet afternoon then
It turns out that Frank tried to kill Lodden during their escape to take over his identity, but Lodden left Frank brain-dead as he fought back. Lodden now remembers a medal Olivia gave him and which is hidden in the jacket Nr 15 was found in, which is Lodden’s jacket. It is now revealed that Lodden is the real baronet, and Mr 15 the vegetable-like Frank. Apologies all round and Lodden forgives his wife who could not confirm his identity in the witness box …. An agreeable time-waster for a wet afternoon then




Anthony Asquith (1902-1968) son of Prime Minister Asquith, was nicknamed Puffin, and became one of the sterling British directors, up there with David Lean and Michael Powell or Carol Reed.


No comments:
Post a Comment