This Was a Woman

This Was a Woman
Trade ad, Kinematograph Weekly, 1948
Directed by	Tim Whelan
Written by	Val Valentine (adapted from the film treatment by Joan Morgan)
Based on	play This Was a Woman by Joan Morgan
Produced by	Marcel Hellman
Starring	Sonia Dresdel Walter Fitzgerald Emrys Jones
Cinematography	Hal Britten Günther Krampf
Edited by	Edward B. Jarvis
Music by	Mischa Spoliansky
Production company	Excelsior Films
Distributed by	Twentieth Century Fox
Release dates	21 June 1948 (1948-06-21) (United Kingdom) 4 January 1949 (1949-01-04) (United States)
Running time	102 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

This Was a Woman is a 1948 British crime film directed by Tim Whelan and starring Sonia Dresdel, Walter Fitzgerald and Emrys Jones. It was made at the Riverside Studios with sets designed by the art directors Ivan King and Andrew Mazzei. Based on a successful play by former film actress Joan Morgan, its plot concerns an outwardly respectable family dominated by a murderous matriarch.

Plot

Sylvia Russell is a woman who likes to get her own way. With a huge ambition to exercise power, she has had to be content with manipulating and demoralising her sweet natured husband and controlling the lives of her children, all while presenting the appearance of a devoted wife and mother.

When her daughter Fenella announces that she is going to marry Val, Sylvia is furious at this sign of independence and while pretending to welcome Val into the family, does everything she can to undermine the marriage, eventually splitting the couple up.

Her son, although not really understanding why, chooses never to bring his girlfriend to the house; is he beginning to comprehend his mother's true character?

When Austin, her husband's old friend, returns to England after many successful years abroad with the same company, Sylvia sees a chance to further her ambitions. She feels sure that she can achieve the power she craves with the right person at her side. And then her husband falls ill...

Cast

• Sonia Dresdel as Sylvia Russell
• Walter Fitzgerald as Arthur Russell
• Emrys Jones as Terry Russell
• Barbara White as Fenella Russell
• Scott Forbes as Dr. Valentine Christie
• Cyril Raymond as Austin Penrose
• Marjorie Rhodes as Mrs. Holmes
• Celia Lipton as Effie
• Lesley Osmond as Sally
• Kynaston Reeves as Dr. Morrison
• Joan Hickson as Miss Johnson
• Clive Morton as Company Director
• Percy Walsh as Professor of Music
• Noel Howlett as Chief Surgeon Barclay
• Gus McNaughton as Vet Surgeon

Bibliography

• Michael F. Keaney. British Film Noir Guide. McFarland, 2008.

External links

• This Was a Woman at IMDb