The Man Upstairs *** (1958, Richard Attenborough, Bernard Lee, Donald Houston, Dorothy Alison) – Classic Movie Review 8823

Director Don Chaffey’s 1958 black and white British thriller The Man Upstairs stars Richard Attenborough in the downbeat but involving story of apartment block tenant Peter Watson, The Man Upstairs who is having a nervous breakdown and surprising all those who thought he was such a nice, quiet chap.

This sterling drama is strongly performed and sufficiently gripping, with sensitive direction by Chaffey, who brings enough style to it in the then fashionable documentary realism vein.

Attenborough gives a performance of considerable weight, stature and integrity, while and Bernard Lee brings his usual quiet authority to his role as Inspector Thompson, and a good support cast tops off the package.

The original story and screenplay are by Alun Falconer, with additional scenes and dialogue by Don Chaffey and Robert Dunbar.

Also in the cast are Donald Houston as Mr. Sanderson, Dorothy Alison as Mrs. Barnes, Patricia Jessel as Mrs. Lawrence, Virginia Maskell as Helen Grey, Kenneth Griffith as Pollen, Alfred Burke as Mr. Barnes, Charles Houston as Nicholas, Maureen Connell as Eunice Blair, Amy Dalby as Miss Acres, Walter Hudd as Superintendent, Patrick Jordan as Injured Sergeant, Graham Stewart as Sergeant Morris, Victor Brooks as Sergeant Collins, Edward Judd as P.C. Stevens, Arthur Gross, Dan Cressy, John Charlesworth, Raymond Ray, Edward Evans, David Griffith and Polly Clark.

The action takes place in the running time of 88 minutes, and there are no fades or dissolves, and there is no background music score.

The Man Upstairs is directed by Don Chaffey, runs 88 minutes, is made by Association of Cinema Technicians (ACT), is released by British Lion, is written by Alun Falconer (original story and screenplay), Don Chaffey and Robert Dunbar (additional scenes and dialogue), is shot in black and white by Gerald Gibbs, is produced by Robert Dunbar and designed by William Kellner.

It was shot at Shepperton Studios, Surrey, England.

Attenborough recalled: ‘Next was Dunkirk. Immediately afterwards I appeared for a token fee in The Man Upstairs, a thought-provoking low-budget drama made by ACT, the film technician’s union. Then for the remainder of 1957, nothing.’

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8823

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